Bhubaneswar, Mar 4: The ‘Panchayati Raj Divas’ will now be celebrated in Odisha on April 24 instead of March 5, the birth anniversary of former Chief Minister Biju Patnaik, announced the state government.
The Chief Minister's Office (CMO) issued an official statement in this regard and said that Odisha government will observe March 5 as the former CM's birth anniversary and not as 'Panchayati Raj Divas’ thereby canceling the holiday on that day. This time, it will be observed on April 24, in alignment with the national observance.
"Odisha Govt will no more observe Panchayati Raj Divas on 5th March, Which Is Biju Babu's Birthday. Instead, Panchayati Raj Divas will be observed on April 24. The new date was approved by the CM today. March 5 is the birth anniversary of Odisha's legendary leader, Biju Patnaik. The state BJP government has decided to celebrate March 5 as the birth anniversary of former chief minister Biju Patnaik and not as 'Panchayati Raj Day'. Besides that, the Odisha government has also canceled the holiday on that day," said the Chief Minister's Office (CMO) in a statement today.
Since the 1990s, Odisha has observed 'Panchayati Raj Day' on March 5 to coincide with Biju Patnaik's birthday, whereas the national 'Panchayati Raj Day' is celebrated on April 24.
On this occasion, awards such as the Rashtriya Gaurav Gram Sabha Award are presented to Panchayat representatives from various states.
The state government's announcement came just hours after the opposition Biju Janata Dal (BJD) urged the government to clarify its stance on celebrating Panchayati Raj Divas on March 5.
