Bhubaneswar: In a significant move to advance the vision of a Viksit Odisha, Principal Secretary Usha Padhee chaired a joint review meeting with senior officials from the Commerce & Transport and Housing & Urban Development Departments, focusing on deeper convergence across departmental efforts to drive inclusive and sustainable development.
A key highlight of the meeting was the emphasis on the timely disbursement of pensions under various social security schemes. Reaffirming the government’s commitment to safeguarding the dignity and well-being of senior citizens and vulnerable communities, the discussion centered on streamlining processes to ensure beneficiaries receive their entitlements without delay.
The review also brought attention to the need for robust operations and maintenance practices, especially in the domains of urban infrastructure and public transport. Ensuring continuity and quality of services was identified as a cornerstone for long-term urban resilience and efficiency.
Technology-driven governance emerged as a major focus area during the deliberations. The integration of real-time monitoring systems and data analytics was seen as vital for improving transparency, enhancing decision-making, and optimizing service delivery across various sectors. The departments were urged to adopt data-backed planning and execution mechanisms to meet evolving public needs more effectively.
Padhee underscored the importance of collaborative governance, stressing that outcome-oriented planning and synergy between departments are essential for building an equitable, future-ready Odisha. “The convergence of goals across departments is essential for building an Odisha that is not just developed, but also equitable and efficient. Our focus remains on systems that deliver with speed, empathy, and accountability,” she stated.
