Odisha to Launch Statewide Urban Citizen Outreach Campaign from June 9

Bhubaneswar: In a bid to strengthen citizen participation in urban governance and improve public access to civic services, the Odisha government will launch a statewide “Saharanchala Janasamparka O Nagarika Bhagidari Karyakrama” (Urban Citizen Outreach and Civic Participation Campaign) across all Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) from June 9 to June 21.

The 13-day campaign, to be implemented by the Housing and Urban Development Department, aims to promote greater interaction between citizens and urban local governments while creating awareness about civic services, government welfare schemes and citizens’ responsibilities in building better cities.

Housing and Urban Development Minister Dr. Krushna Chandra Mahapatra said the initiative reflects the government’s commitment to people-centric urban development and participatory governance.

“Citizen participation is crucial for the success of urban transformation initiatives. This campaign will help make government services more accessible, transparent and accountable while encouraging people to actively contribute to the development of their cities,” he said.

As part of the programme, Urban Local Bodies across the state will organise awareness rallies, ward-level meetings, public consultations, Swachhata drives and community engagement activities. Information, Education and Communication (IEC) campaigns will also be conducted to raise awareness on sanitation, waste management, water conservation, environmental sustainability and civic responsibility.

A major component of the initiative will be Citizen Service Delivery Camps, where residents can access information and assistance related to various municipal services and welfare schemes. These camps will facilitate services such as property tax payments, water supply connections, trade licences, building plan approvals and housing-related schemes.

The department will also establish dedicated help desks and grievance redressal mechanisms during the campaign to address public concerns and improve service delivery at the grassroots level.

The campaign seeks to involve a wide range of stakeholders, including Self-Help Groups (SHGs), Resident Welfare Associations, youth organisations, market associations and other community-based institutions. Officials believe such participation will strengthen collaboration between citizens and local governments in addressing urban challenges.

The programme calendar covers diverse themes such as citizen services, public health awareness, sanitation, waste management, water conservation, environmental protection, women’s participation, youth engagement and community-led development. Through field-level interactions and consultations, the government aims to foster a stronger sense of civic ownership among urban residents.

Additional Chief Secretary of the Housing and Urban Development Department, Usha Padhee, said the campaign has been designed to create meaningful dialogue between citizens and urban institutions.

She noted that besides improving public awareness of government initiatives and civic services, the programme would also provide Urban Local Bodies with valuable feedback to enhance governance and service delivery.

The campaign will conclude with citizen feedback sessions and public interactions aimed at identifying local priorities and areas requiring improvement. The feedback collected will be used by Urban Local Bodies to adopt more responsive and citizen-focused governance practices.

According to the Housing and Urban Development Department, the initiative is expected to strengthen the relationship between citizens and local governments and further Odisha’s vision of transparent, inclusive and participatory urban governance.