Bhubaneswar: In a high-level meeting held at Kharvela Bhavan on Monday, Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi called for an intensified focus on expanding public welfare initiatives and meeting fiscal targets. The Council of Ministers meeting, attended by Deputy Chief Minister Kanak Vardhan Singh Deo, cabinet ministers, and senior officials, reviewed the performance of various departments and discussed strategies to accelerate progress across key sectors.
Chief Minister Majhi emphasized the importance of efficient budget utilization for the fiscal year 2024-25, instructing departments with lagging expenditure to expedite spending and achieve their budgetary targets before the next budget session. He urged officials to adopt innovative strategies, implement transformative schemes, and address the evolving needs of the state’s population through long-term planning.
The meeting reviewed progress in critical areas such as healthcare services, social security programs, and rural drinking water supply. Infrastructure projects, including road and bridge construction, were given particular attention. The Chief Minister also discussed the advancement of flagship programs like Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana and Ayushman Bharat – Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana. School improvement efforts and the Agriculture Department’s plans for establishing cold storage facilities also featured prominently.
Majhi highlighted the significance of strengthening police services and called on departments to develop impactful initiatives to address public concerns. He drew attention to the Vikshit Odisha Vision Document, which has received 3.2 lakh proposals from citizens, and directed officials to prioritize those that could make the most significant difference.
Looking ahead, the Chief Minister stressed the importance of the upcoming Utkarsh Odisha program as a key driver of investment and economic development in the state. He reiterated the government’s commitment to fostering sustainable growth while ensuring equitable service delivery.
The meeting ended with a unified commitment to enhance public welfare initiatives, build robust infrastructure, and ensure Odisha’s steady progress toward a more inclusive and prosperous future.