March 5 to Be Celebrated as Panchayati Raj and Lokseva Divas: Naveen

Bhubaneswar: Bringing governance closer to the people at the grassroots level, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik today declared that Odisha would celebrate March 5 as Panchayati Raj and Lokseva Divas.

Speaking at the state-level celebration of Panchayati Raj Divas here today, the Chief Minister said that his government has taken several initiatives for strengthening of Panchayati Raj system in the State.

He said, “People are the masters in democracy. They are everything. Biju Babu had always emphasized on the rights and empowerment of the common men. Hence I declare that March 5 will be celebrated as Panchayati Raj and Lokseva Divas”.

Naveen said, “Biju Babu had a dream and I quote ‘A decent roof over the head of every citizen of my State” unquote. Pucca ghar for everyone”.

Odisha has made rapid strides in this direction. Till date, over 25 lakh beneficiaries have been provided with pucca houses. In the next four years, the State Government is targeting to provide 20 lakh more pucca houses to the people”, the CM said.

He said, “I am really glad to distribute Pucca Ghar entitlement card to beneficiaries for construction of 20 lakh pucca houses”.

“My Government believes in works and not in words”, the CM added.

Congratulating the beneficiaries for getting Pucca Ghar Entitlement Order, the Chief Minister urged them to construct pucca ghar in time and co-operate the government in achieving its mission to convert all kutcha houses into pucca houses.