Umerkote: The government has released guidelines for the “Vikashit Gaon, Vikashit Odisha” scheme. The state government directed district collectors to prepare and submit a five-year development plan for each village by the end of February. The Block Development Officers (BDOs) were provided with these guidelines. In the 2024-25 budget, the government has allocated ₹10,000 crore for the Vikashit Gaon, Vikashit Odisha initiative. The funds will be distributed among panchayats, with priority given to backward and tribal-dominated regions. A special meeting was held today in the Umerkote block conference hall in Nabarangpur district to discuss this initiative. Group Development Officer Lakshmi Sagar Majhi presented proposals during the meeting. Under Umerkote Block, 26 panchayats are covered, with an estimated ₹6,50,89,479 crore budget allocation. Each panchayat has been granted funds based on its population, as informed by the BDO. Development projects were proposed through independent Gram Sabhas and later approved by the Panchayat Samiti. However, some Sarpanchs and committee members expressed dissatisfaction over unequal fund allocations, leading to heated discussions.
Planned Developments Under the Scheme:
Construction of better roads in every village, including block top roads, concrete roads, and paved roads.
Drainage systems will be built where necessary.
35% of the total panchayat funds will be exclusively used for road construction, with no additional funds allocated for this purpose.
Metal roads will be constructed for residents living in reserved forest areas and jungle regions, which were previously restricted under the Ama Odisha, Naveen Odisha scheme.
Establishment of reading rooms or libraries in each block.
Construction of community halls, gym centers, bathing facilities, ponds, and changing rooms near rivers for public use.
Allocation of funds for school modernization, including the construction of new classrooms.
The meeting was attended by Block Chairperson Sushila Majhi, Vice Chairperson Shyamlal Sarkar, MP representative Ram Nayak, Basanti Majhi, Minister’s Representative Ashok Padhi, ABDO Dr. Jitendra Kumar Samal, Zilla Parishad members Chhaya Biswas, Dalimb Bhatra, along with Sarpanchs and committee members from all panchayats. They actively participated in the discussions regarding the scheme’s implementation.
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