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New Indian Express
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- New Indian Express
Sital Sasthi concludes in Sambalpur
SAMBALPUR: As the week-long festival concluded on Monday afternoon with the divine couple's return to their respective temples, demand for the official recognition to Sambalpur Sital Sasthi festival grew stronger. BJD district president and former minister Rohit Pujari urged the Centre to grant the national recognition to the festival. 'Sital Sasthi is not merely a festival, it has evolved into a grand platform for promoting art and culture. It brings together diverse dance and music traditions from across India, giving them a distinct identity,' he said. Former chief minister Naveen Patnaik had approved financial grants for various Sital Sasthi committees, acknowledging the festival at the state level. It is now time for the central government to step in and grant it the national recognition it truly deserves, he added. This year, Revenue and Disaster Management minister Suresh Pujari and his wife assumed the ceremonial role of Goddess Parvati's parents on behalf of Jhaduapada Sasthi Committee, offering her hand in marriage to Lord Shiva. The tradition, originating in the 17th century at the Someswar Baba temple in Balibandha, now includes several temples across the city. The festival rituals, which began on May 27, transformed Sambalpur into a cultural and devotional hot spot. Around 8,000 artistes from across Odisha and other states performed in the vibrant carnival organised by Jharuapada, Nandapada, and Mudipada committees. The district administration deployed around 75 platoons of police to ensure safety and manage crowds, with devotees arriving from across western Odisha and neighbouring Chhattisgarh. Union minister Dharmendra Pradhan, Deputy CM KV Singhdeo and several other dignitaries attended the festivities on Sunday.
Time of India
27-05-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
'By 2029, Odisha will be among top 5 industrial states': Odisha CM Majhi's big bet
Odisha CM Mohan Majhi (File photo) NEW DELHI: Nearly a year after creating history and ascending to be the first BJP Chief Minister of Odisha , Mohan Charan Majhi speaks to Manash Pratim Gohain and Dipak Dash on the dual challenge of meeting high public expectations and redefining the state's development narrative. (Excerpts) When you took oath as Odisha's first BJP Chief Minister, did you expect it? Also, did you feel the pressure of stepping into a space dominated by Naveen Patnaik for over two decades? I didn't expect or think I'd become CM. Honestly, I just hoped to be a good minister. I've always worked with the intention of serving the people, with nationalism in my heart. That's why I've been elected repeatedly — four times as an MLA — whether our party formed the government or not. As an opposition leader too, I consistently raised people's issues and questioned Naveen Patnaik's government fearlessly. Perhaps that consistent public service brought me here. But I never imagined I'd be the CM. There was no real challenge when I took over. If you have willpower and a strong leader like PM Narendra Modi backing you, anything is possible. Odisha has huge potential, and we are committed to making it a leading player to achieve Viksit Bharat by 2047. Regarding legacy — yes, people only knew Naveen Babu as CM for over 20 years. But governance isn't about occupying a chair. Biju Babu, his father, was CM twice. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Giao dịch vàng với sàn môi giới tin cậy IC Markets Đăng ký Undo He had to wait 27 years to return, which tells you what the public thought. Winning repeatedly does not equal meaningful leadership. I leave it to you to find out and understand why he could win so many times. You must speak the people's language, meet them, listen to them. He (Naveen) didn't speak Odia, didn't meet MLAs or MPs, and didn't visit the CM grievance cell for 16 years. I go there every week. I meet people at 3 am if needed. That's the kind of accessible governance people want — not isolation and silence. How has your first year in government been, and what challenges have you faced? Our government is about to complete one year — just 15 days left. We've already fulfilled 11 of the major promises out of our 'Twenty-One' programmes, which was originally planned for five years. Take Subhadra Yojana — we launched it on September 17, 2024, in the presence of PM Narendra Modi. We gave Rs 10,000 each to 25 lakh women that day. We aimed to cover 1 crore women over five years, and we've already exceeded it — over 1 crore women have received benefits. This helped us deliver on the PM's vision of 'Lakhpati Didi' — Odisha is now No 1 in the country with over 16 lakh women earning more than Rs 1 lakh annually. We also launched CM-Kisan — adding Rs 4,000 to the Rs 6,000 given under PM-Kisan. Plus, we provided Rs 800 as input assistance per quintal of paddy, raising the effective MSP to Rs 3,100. This benefited around 17 lakh farmers. The previous govt promised Rs 100 per quintal in 2015–16 but never delivered. We did it in year one. We even compensated farmers for unseasonal rain damage with Rs 292 crore across 16 districts. But it's said that the BJD govt left state finances in good shape? If they had the money, why didn't they use it for the people? Why did not they gave money to women and farmers? The credit goes to Modi Ji, who amended the MMDR Act — turning lease-based mining into auctions with premiums. That's why Odisha is earning more today. Odisha is a mineral-rich state. But how do you plan to diversify the economy beyond mining? We cannot over-depend on mining. We have been exporting iron, manganese, and bauxite for years — but without value addition. That has to change. We are now focusing on industrial hubs, value addition, and setting up manufacturing units in Odisha. Infrastructure has improved — an 8-lane highway from Keonjhar to Paradip, a triple-line railway corridor, new airports, and uninterrupted power and water supply. The ground is ready. For agriculture, over 60% of our people are engaged in it, yet we mostly grow paddy. We are pushing for crop diversification — oilseeds, pulses, and cotton. Textile plants are planned in Kalahandi and Bolangir. We are also promoting maize-based food processing units and scaling up fisheries and animal husbandry. In the recent Make in Odisha Conclave, we received Rs 17 lakh crore worth of proposals and signed MoUs worth Rs 13 lakh crore, which will generate 13 lakh jobs. PM Modi calls Odisha the "State of Opportunities" — and we are making that a reality. There have been sensitive issues with neighbouring states — Mahanadi with Chhattisgarh, Polavaram with Andhra, Jagannath Dham in Digha, and even potatoes. How are you managing these? On the Mahanadi issue, we now have a triple-engine govt — Centre, Odisha, and Chhattisgarh. We've started officer-level talks. Legal battles don't solve everything — dialogue is the way forward. As for the Jagannath Dham issue, let me be very clear — Puri is the original and only Jagannath Dham. It is one of the Char Dhams, established since the time of Adi Shankaracharya. No one — not even a political leader — can replicate or shift that faith. I've written to the West Bengal CM. She hasn't responded, but people won't accept any such imitation — whether it's Digha or elsewhere. Mahaprabhu Jagannath is in Puri, and that is final. On the potato issue, West Bengal has more cold stores — the previous Odisha government never focused on this. Many facilities were shut. We're now formulating a cold storage policy, ensuring one cold store per subdivision, incentivising new ones and reviving old ones. No blackmail will be tolerated. Regarding Polavaram, the case is in the Supreme Court, so I won't comment much — except to say we will never compromise on Odisha's interests. Odisha has a large tribal population. What steps is your government taking for their welfare? I myself belong to a tribal community, so I deeply understand their issues. Tribals constitute 23% of Odisha's population; SCs are 16%. If Odisha must develop, their development is non-negotiable. We are implementing the PM Janman Yojana, and another programme is being launched to boost infrastructure and income in 7,000 tribal villages. We are providing land rights under forest laws, expanding livelihood missions, and ensuring healthcare for tribal communities. To prevent school dropouts, we've launched an innovative scheme — giving Rs 5,000 pocket allowance to every tribal student in Class 9 and 10. This ensures retention and participation in education. There are several senior BJP leaders from Odisha at the Centre. How has their support shaped your initiatives? The Prime Minister himself has identified Odisha as the "growth engine of Viksit Bharat 2047." Central ministers are visiting Odisha frequently, and national conferences are now being hosted here. From Rs 3,000 crore earlier, the central allocation to Odisha's railways has gone up to Rs 57,000–Rs 60,000 crore. We've also created the Odisha Road Authority — a first in the country at the state level — aiming to upgrade 35,000 km of roads by 2029. We're receiving strong support from the Centre, and the results are visible. What is your vision for Odisha by the end of your term in 2029? By 2029, Odisha will be among the top five industrialised states of India. We will have diversified our economy, empowered our women and farmers, and created a robust infrastructure backbone. Most importantly, we will build an inclusive Odisha — where tribals, farmers, women, youth, and entrepreneurs all find equal opportunities to grow. This is not just a political goal — it is our commitment to every citizen of Odisha.
Indian Express
21-05-2025
- Politics
- Indian Express
Why Odisha's BJP govt has barred bureaucrats, barring one, from Cabinet meetings
In what sources described as an effort to counter the perception that bureaucrats wield undue power in ministries, the BJP government in Odisha has issued a circular barring secretaries of departments from being present at Cabinet meetings. During the previous government under Naveen Patnaik, the BJP had repeatedly alleged that the government was being run by bureaucrats. They had particularly targeted V K Pandian, who served as private secretary to then-CM Patnaik for over a decade, accusing him of wielding enormous power over ministers and MLAs in the BJD regime. The supposed influence wielded by the Tamil Nadu-born Pandian was a major election issue for the BJP in the 2024 polls. A BJP leader said, 'There was an impression on the ground that bureaucrats continue to wield their influence, overpowering ministers the way it happened during the BJD regime. The BJP government is going to complete one year in office next month, and such a perception is not good for it.' According to sources, the government issued such a circular to also negate growing public perception about the role of ministers. 'There were instances in the past when ministers expressed their ignorance about subjects of their own departments. This is because… the secretaries used to prepare the Cabinet memorandums and also participated in the discussion. The presence of ministers was a mere formality. The move is to change that perception,' a senior bureaucrat said. According to the circular issued by the state parliamentary affairs department on May 9, during Cabinet meetings, only the Chief Minister, Cabinet ministers, ministers of state in charge of the department whose agenda is up for discussion, and the secretary to the Cabinet (Chief Secretary) are to sit inside the Cabinet room. 'Hence, secretaries of departments whose agenda are placed for discussions, may sit in a separate room specially designated for officers and may enter the Cabinet room as and when required by the Cabinet to assist the Cabinet with any issue,' the circular read. The circular also said that secretaries will not take part in discussions during the Cabinet meeting, except when asked for their opinion. 'When a case is brought before the Cabinet, the presiding authority will call upon the minister-in-charge or the minister of state-in-charge to speak on the issue placed for approval of the Cabinet. Other ministers will speak subsequently,' it said. The circular also lays down strict timelines for submission of Cabinet memorandums and related documents. It asked the secretaries to submit the Cabinet memorandums to the parliamentary affairs department at least three working days before a Cabinet meeting, unless the timeline is relaxed by the Chief Minister. Ministers will be informed about the agenda to be taken up for discussion two days before the Cabinet meeting. Speaking to reporters in Bhubaneswar, Revenue Minister Suresh Pujari said, 'Nothing has been newly introduced or amended. The system that needs to be followed in a parliamentary democracy has now been restored. The move will ensure qualitative discussion, and the ministers will present their cases in a more effective manner.' Pujari said the system has been spoiled in the past 24 years — the period of time that the BJD was in power in the state. He said the role of the political leadership in a democracy had been neglected in the past, and is now been upheld. 'In a democracy, the role of everyone — ministers, MLAs and secretaries — has been defined clearly. It has now been restored,' he said. The BJD, however, called the move a gimmick. Senior BJD MLA Kalikesh Singh Deo said the efficiency of the government should be seen on the ground. 'It would be my request to the government to stop the marketing gimmick and to contemplate on the development of Odisha and the welfare of its people,' said Singh Deo.
Indian Express
21-05-2025
- Politics
- Indian Express
Odisha's BJP govt moves to keep bureaucrats at arm's length in bid to change perception of ‘overpowering' influence
In what sources described as an effort to counter the perception that bureaucrats wield undue power in ministries, the BJP government in Odisha has issued a circular barring secretaries of departments from being present at Cabinet meetings. During the previous government under Naveen Patnaik, the BJP had repeatedly alleged that the government was being run by bureaucrats. They had particularly targeted V K Pandian, who served as private secretary to then-CM Patnaik for over a decade, accusing him of wielding enormous power over ministers and MLAs in the BJD regime. The supposed influence wielded by the Tamil Nadu-born Pandian was a major election issue for the BJP in the 2024 polls. A BJP leader said, 'There was an impression on the ground that bureaucrats continue to wield their influence, overpowering ministers the way it happened during the BJD regime. The BJP government is going to complete one year in office next month, and such a perception is not good for it.' According to sources, the government issued such a circular to also negate growing public perception about the role of ministers. 'There were instances in the past when ministers expressed their ignorance about subjects of their own departments. This is because… the secretaries used to prepare the Cabinet memorandums and also participated in the discussion. The presence of ministers was a mere formality. The move is to change that perception,' a senior bureaucrat said. According to the circular issued by the state parliamentary affairs department on May 9, during Cabinet meetings, only the Chief Minister, Cabinet ministers, ministers of state in charge of the department whose agenda is up for discussion, and the secretary to the Cabinet (Chief Secretary) are to sit inside the Cabinet room. 'Hence, secretaries of departments whose agenda are placed for discussions, may sit in a separate room specially designated for officers and may enter the Cabinet room as and when required by the Cabinet to assist the Cabinet with any issue,' the circular read. The circular also said that secretaries will not take part in discussions during the Cabinet meeting, except when asked for their opinion. 'When a case is brought before the Cabinet, the presiding authority will call upon the minister-in-charge or the minister of state-in-charge to speak on the issue placed for approval of the Cabinet. Other ministers will speak subsequently,' it said. The circular also lays down strict timelines for submission of Cabinet memorandums and related documents. It asked the secretaries to submit the Cabinet memorandums to the parliamentary affairs department at least three working days before a Cabinet meeting, unless the timeline is relaxed by the Chief Minister. Ministers will be informed about the agenda to be taken up for discussion two days before the Cabinet meeting. Speaking to reporters in Bhubaneswar, Revenue Minister Suresh Pujari said, 'Nothing has been newly introduced or amended. The system that needs to be followed in a parliamentary democracy has now been restored. The move will ensure qualitative discussion, and the ministers will present their cases in a more effective manner.' Pujari said the system has been spoiled in the past 24 years — the period of time that the BJD was in power in the state. He said the role of the political leadership in a democracy had been neglected in the past, and is now been upheld. 'In a democracy, the role of everyone — ministers, MLAs and secretaries — has been defined clearly. It has now been restored,' he said. The BJD, however, called the move a gimmick. Senior BJD MLA Kalikesh Singh Deo said the efficiency of the government should be seen on the ground. 'It would be my request to the government to stop the marketing gimmick and to contemplate on the development of Odisha and the welfare of its people,' said Singh Deo.
Hans India
19-05-2025
- Politics
- Hans India
Economic growth tardy, says BJD
Bhubaneswar: The Opposition Biju Janata Dal (BJD) on Saturday came down heavily on the 11-month-old BJP government in Odisha and expressed concern over the prevailing political and economic situation in the State. These issues were discussed in detail at the first meeting of the Political Affairs Committee (PAC) of the BJD, chaired by party president Naveen Patnaik, PAC member Niranjan Pujari told reporters. The PAC is the highest decision-making body of the regional party. 'The PAC expressed concern on the tardy pace of economic and industrial development in the State and demanded that the BJP government should work towards economic development instead of wasting taxpayers' money on changing the colour and name of BJD-era schemes for political gains,' Pujari said. In a statement, the party said the PAC also discussed the prevailing political situation of the State and expressed concern on various problems faced by people. 'It was hoped that the government would take steps to overcome the current stagnation in the development sectors and fulfil the aspirations of people,' the party said. 'The meeting paid tributes to the 26 people who lost their lives in the Pahalgam attack,' Pujari said, adding that the regional party praised the unparalleled skill, courage and strength of the Indian armed forces for the success of 'Operation Sindoor'. 'The valour exhibited by the armed forces has made India proud. BJD is proud of the Indian Army,' he said. Expressing concern over the alleged 'stagnation' in the development sector, the BJD praised party president Naveen Patnaik for the remarkable progress achieved under his leadership in industrial development, as highlighted in a recently published ICRA Report.
