Bhubaneswar, October 19: The Odisha government has planned to rename the ‘Ama Odisha Nabin Odisha’ scheme to ‘Bikashita Gaan, Bikashita Odisha, informed Panchayati Raj and Drinking Water Minister Rabi Narayan Naik on Saturday.
Minister Naik said that this move would make a significant shift in the state's rural development strategy, emphasizing local governance through gram sabhas (village councils), which will now play a key role in setting development priorities.
The previous scheme, launched during Naveen Patnaik’s administration, aimed to develop rural infrastructure and cultural heritage across Odisha's panchayats. However, it faced criticism for alleged irregularities, including a lack of involvement of local elected representatives. Complaints arose that officers like Junior Engineers and Block Development Officers were making key decisions, sidelining local authorities, He added
The upcoming guidelines are expected to provide greater transparency and restore decision-making power to local representatives.
Biranchi Narayan Tripathy, a BJP spokesperson, welcomed the moves, criticizing the previous administration for reducing representatives' influence.
