A workshop on strengthening of the delivery mechanism and motivation for the Panchayati Raj (PR) system was held at the Berhampur University at Bhanja Bihar on Wednesday in the departmental officers of the State’s 10 southern districts, Ganjam, Gajapati, Koraput, Nabarangpur, Rayagada, Malkangiri, Kalahandi, Nuapada, Kandhamal and Boudh participated.
Such workshops had already been held at Sambalpur and Bhubaneswar earlier this month to ensure availability of basic amenities of urban areas for rural people that include electricity, good road and drinking water by the Panchayati Raj Department. Currently, 83 per cent of the State’s population are living in rural and 17 per cent in urban areas.
Speaking on the occasion as the chief guest, Panchayati Raj Minister Arun Kumar Sahu said the BDOs should visit the poorest of the poor houses to understand the ground realities and the difficulties the people. The programme of providing rice at rupee one per kilogram has virtually eradicated starvation death, he claimed.
Provision for four lakh rural household latrines has been undertaken this year, he said, adding that the concerned officials must ensure timely completion of all projects.
The Minister declared at the meeting that he would be a complete vegetarian from now onwards. Commissioner-cum-Secretary Deoranjan Kumar Singh reviewed the programmes like the MGNREGS, IAY, Special State Monitoring Cell, National Rural livelihood Mission, Backward Region Grant Fund, Social Economic Caste Census, scheme on bonded labour and Rajiv Gandhi Panchayati Sasakti Karan Abhiyan.