Bhubaneswar, January 5: Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, at the closing ceremony of the state-level Pani Panchayat Pakhya at Baramunda Ground in Bhubaneswar on Sunday, directed to hold elections and audits for Pani Panchayats across the state.
In his address, the Chief Minister emphasized strengthening the Pani Panchayat system and transforming these bodies into agricultural marketing hubs. He outlined plans to enhance the irrigation infrastructure, including the construction of new field channels and the conversion of existing ones into concrete canals to better serve farmers.
The Chief Minister announced that, from this year until 2028-29, a total of 2,400 kilometers of new concrete canals would be constructed across 80,000 hectares of irrigated land. Additionally, 1,860 kilometers of outdated and dilapidated field canals spanning 62,000 hectares will be upgraded to concrete canals.
CM Majhi said “Our priority is to ensure efficient water use, equitable distribution, and adequate irrigation for our farmers,”
He highlighted that more than 39,000 Pani Panchayats are currently engaged in water management across the state, ensuring active community participation and minimizing water wastage.
For the development of water resources, the Chief Minister revealed that over Rs 13,223 crore has been allocated in the current year’s budget. He shared updates on several key irrigation projects, including the Brutang Irrigation Project in Nayagarh, the Pipalpank Project in Ganjam, and the Upper Lanth Irrigation Project in Bolangir, among others. The government is also fast-tracking numerous lift irrigation and Minor Irrigation Projects (M.I.P) in various districts.
Deputy CM Kanak Vardhan Singh Deo praised the government's initiatives, reaffirming that the Odisha government is committed to supporting farmers through both development and market linkage efforts. He also urged everyone to adopt responsible water usage practices.
The event also featured personal testimonies from Sasmita Nayak, a successful female farmer from a Pani Panchayat in Dhenkanal, and Bagal Charan Bramha, a successful farmer from a Pani Panchayat in Keonjhar. Their stories highlighted the positive impact of the Pani Panchayat system on local farming communities.
