A Shot in The Arm For Odisha Gram Panchayats as Odisha Entrusts More Power To Them

Bhubaneswar: As Odisha is gearing up to celebrate the Panchayati Raj Divas to mark the birth anniversary of legendary Biju Patnaik on March 5, the State Government has expanded the role and responsibilities of gram panchayats (GPs) in order to further strengthen the Three-Tier Panchayati Raj system.

As per a decision, the GPs will now take care of all the maintenance and renovation works of primary schools, primary health centres and anganwadi kendras in the State.

A proposal in this regard has been approved at the State Cabinet meeting presided over by Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik here on Monday.

Previously, the Odisha Government had transferred 21 major responsibilities of 19 departments to the Panchayati Raj departments.

An inter-ministerial committee had recommended to empower the gram panchayats with more powers and responsibilities in order to strengthen the three-tier Panchayati Raj system in the State.

Besides giving more power to the panchayat, the State Cabinet has also approved seven other major proposals.

The Cabinet also approved a proposal to revive the defunct Lift Irrigation projects in the State.

The State Government has also decided to invite the national and international institutions to set up health centres and schools in Odisha. A guideline has been prepared in this regard. The State Cabinet has approved the guideline.