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NDTV
04-07-2025
- Politics
- NDTV
Odisha Surpasses Kerala In School Rankings, Naveen Patnaik Credits 5T Initiative
Following Odisha climbing to Rank 5 nationally in school education ranking 2023-24, former Chief Minister of Odisha, Naveen Patnaik, expressed his joy and said that under the 5T initiative, the previous Biju Janata Dal government had transformed about 7000 schools to unleash new aspirations and open new horizons for school students. In a post on X, former CM Naveen Patnaik shared, "Glad to share that Odisha has earned 5th rank nationally in School Grading System, as per Performance Grading Index (PGI-2.0) Report released by Government of India. Odisha has achieved score of 595.6 and secured PRACHESTA-3 grade for the academic year 2023-24, up from 14th in 2019. The PGI 2.0 evaluates school education through 73 indicators across two categories: Outcomes and Governance & Management." "Under our #5T initiative, we transformed about 7000 schools to unleash new aspirations and open new horizons for school students. We always believed that #NewOdisha will be built by empowering every child with the power of education. Glad that the robust foundation for government school education helping students excel. Thank all the teachers, parents, administrators and support staff for the huge transformation. #OdishaLeads," he shared. In a post on Instagram, the former aide of Naveen Patnaik, VK Pandian, shared that Odisha was above Kerala in education rankings under the performance governance initiative. V K Pandian said, "When 5T targets were being set up across sectors in 2019 , Honble CM Naveen Patnaikji @naveen_odisha had stated that a credible 5T target in school education would be for Odisha to cross Kerala . It sounded impossible at that time. But we could achieve this transformation milestone." "The Performance Grading Index ( PGI ) of the Government of India which assesses school education across 73 indicators, has placed Odisha at No. 5 among all the states in 2023-24, higher than Kerala. This achievement is stupendous, especially as Odisha was in the bottom category of states previously," he said. He congratulated the entire team for moving up in the school education ranking from 24 to 5. "Congratulations to the entire team who made this happen in a record time . It was not an easy task to go from being 24 in all India ranking to number 5. The hard work and dedication that has gone in from all quarters has made this possible. Thanking the students , parents, community leaders, PRIs, people's representatives, SMCs and government officials who made this transformative target under 5T come true," he further shared.
Time of India
04-07-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Odisha ranks 5th, surpassing Kerala in school education ranking, secures PRACHESTA-3 grade
BHUBANESWAR: Following Odisha climbing to Rank 5 nationally in school education ranking 2023-24, former Chief Minister of Odisha, , expressed his joy and said that under the 5T initiative, the previous Biju Janata Dal government had transformed about 7000 schools to unleash new aspirations and open new horizons for school students. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now In a post on X, former CM Naveen Patnaik shared, "Glad to share that Odisha has earned 5th rank nationally in School Grading System, as per Performance Grading Index (PGI-2.0) Report released by Government of India. Odisha has achieved score of 595.6 and secured PRACHESTA-3 grade for the academic year 2023-24, up from 14th in 2019. The PGI 2.0 evaluates school education through 73 indicators across two categories: Outcomes and Governance & Management. " "Under our #5T initiative, we transformed about 7000 schools to unleash new aspirations and open new horizons for school students. We always believed that #NewOdisha will be built by empowering every child with the power of education. Glad that the robust foundation for government school education helping students excel. Thank all the teachers, parents, administrators and support staff for the huge transformation. #OdishaLeads," he shared. In a post on Instagram, the former aide of Naveen Patnaik, VK Pandian, shared that Odisha was above Kerala in education rankings under the performance governance initiative. V K Pandian said, "When 5T targets were being set up across sectors in 2019 , Honble CM Naveen Patnaikji @naveen_odisha had stated that a credible 5T target in school education would be for Odisha to cross Kerala . It sounded impossible at that time. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now But we could achieve this transformation milestone." "The Performance Grading Index ( PGI ) of the Government of India which assesses school education across 73 indicators, has placed Odisha at No. 5 among all the states in 2023-24, higher than Kerala. This achievement is stupendous, especially as Odisha was in the bottom category of states previously," he said. He congratulated the entire team for moving up in the school education ranking from 24 to 5. "Congratulations to the entire team who made this happen in a record time . It was not an easy task to go from being 24 in all India ranking to number 5. The hard work and dedication that has gone in from all quarters has made this possible. Thanking the students , parents, community leaders, PRIs, people's representatives, SMCs and government officials who made this transformative target under 5T come true," he further shared.
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.
