Principal Secretary Usha Padhee Reviews Development Projects, Welfare Schemes in Sundargarh

Sundargarh: Principal Secretary, Housing and Urban Development Department and Commerce & Transport Department, Government of Odisha, Usha Padhee undertook a two-day visit to Sundargarh district to review the progress and implementation of various development projects and welfare schemes.

During the visit, the Principal Secretary inspected multiple locations across the district, interacted with beneficiaries and officials, and assessed the ground-level status of programme execution. A comprehensive inter-departmental review meeting was held at Saddhavna Bhawan, Sundargarh, with senior district officers and heads of line departments in attendance.

Addressing the meeting, Padhee underscored the importance of strong inter-departmental coordination and teamwork to ensure efficient delivery of public services. She stressed the need for regular field inspections, timely identification of implementation gaps and immediate corrective measures. Emphasising citizen-centric governance, she directed officials to ensure prompt redressal of public grievances.

During departmental presentations, the Health Department outlined the status of health infrastructure and human resource requirements in the district. The School and Mass Education Department briefed on infrastructure development, Smart Classrooms and PM SHRI Vidyalayas. The Principal Secretary emphasised improving academic outcomes through continuous student feedback and addressing subject-specific learning gaps.

Programmes of the Housing and Urban Development Department and WATCO were reviewed with special focus on sanitation and the supply of safe drinking water. Updates from the Agriculture, Fisheries and Animal Husbandry Department and the Rural Drinking Water Supply and Sanitation Department were also discussed, with emphasis on coordinated implementation of schemes.

The District Welfare Department highlighted infrastructure and manpower issues, stressing the need to maintain cleanliness in hostels and toilets and promote personal hygiene awareness among students. Other departments, including Women and Child Development, District Supplies, TPWDL, Social Security and Cooperatives, presented updates on their ongoing programmes and challenges. Progress under Aspirational Blocks was also reviewed.

The meeting was attended by Superintendent of Police Amritpal Kaur, Additional District Magistrate Suraj Patnaik, Chief Development Officer-cum-Executive Officer Suranjan Sahu, Deputy Collector Tejaswini Behera, IAS Trainee Fabi Rashid, and other senior district and departmental officers.

Earlier in the day, Padhee visited various locations in Lathikata Block. She interacted with PRI members and officials at Tainsar Gram Panchayat and reviewed local development works. At Tainsar High School, she engaged with students and teachers to understand academic and infrastructural needs. She also visited the Rural Industrial Park at Kuanramunda Block, where she observed livelihood activities undertaken by Self-Help Groups, interacted with SHG members, and reviewed their initiatives aimed at strengthening local livelihoods.