Don't disrespect elected representatives: CM to BDOs

Time of India

16-05-2025

Bhubaneswar: Chief minister
on Thursday told block development officers (BDO)s and chief development officers (CDO)s not to consider his simplicity as a sign of weakness and warned them against disrespecting elected representatives and ignoring their concerns.
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Addressing a conference of
and
, Majhi said he has received complaints from MLAs about officials not giving them due respect. "While such instances may be few, it's crucial that you work in collaboration with elected representatives who voice people's concerns," the CM told the officials who oversee development projects at block and district levels. BDOs of all 314 blocks and CDOs of all 30 districts attended the meeting.
Majhi said for the first two-three months after the BJP govt came to power, many of the officers functioned by aligning themselves with the previous govt's vision. "That is not unusual. However, they must change since it's already 11 months," he added.
Calling himself a simple tribal man, Majhi said being someone who started his political career as a sarpanch, he knows well what happens at the grass-roots level. "I too had faced bad behaviour from BDOs after becoming an MLA.
But most officers are very good and principled," the CM said.
Pointing out that his govt gave ample freedom to officers, he said none should work under anyone's pressure. "Work impartially to provide service to the public," he advised them, adding that beneficiaries of govt schemes have a right to the services meant for them.
Warning of consequences for misconduct, Majhi said, "Any form of corruption or negligence will face strict action.
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There will be zero tolerance for those who fail to fulfil their responsibilities."
Majhi also asked officers not to use machines for labour-intensive work such as Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act, meant to generate employment for people. "This must change. If this practice is stopped, it will end distressed migration of the workforce," he said.
The CM also emphasised the critical role of CDOs and BDOs as the vital link between the govt and citizens. As Odisha aspires to be a developed state by 2036 and become a growth engine for Viksit Bharat by 2047, the block-level administration has to play an important role, he pointed out. "Your efficiency directly reflects our administrative success," he said and stressed the need for proper implementation of govt schemes at the grass-roots level.