Naveen Cares What We Think

People of Odisha are our boss – Naveen’s prophetic words in the recently concluded executive body meeting of Biju Yuva Janata Dal aptly sums up his politics of empowerment.

When the intensions are right, nothing can stop you from doing your best in making the life of common man a better one. When a leader leads by example and practices the tenets of democracy wholeheartedly for the betterment of the state and the society at large, we are going to witness a positive change that will be followed by others. We are now in a society that needs to change by inculcating a whole new system that is future complaint and stands for social equality and democratic values. One such leader who is taking small but concrete steps to transform the way we are governed without conceding democratic ethos is Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik.

The way he has been taking a number of decisive steps to transform the governance mechanism in Odisha, it is definitely going to be a role model of others. Be it the Mo Sarkar and 5T Initiatives, empowerment of women, adoption of technology for governance or the transformation of the cultural and religious identities of the state, Odisha is witnessing an all-round development process that will make the life of its people better.

The newest and the most important initiative that Naveen took is making mandatory for all government officials to declare their annual property statement which will be sent to the Lokpal. In a modern state governed by technology, transparency in all activities is a must and this proposal is a path-breaking one. For the first time in the country, a state government is going to implement a rule that will not only bring in transparency but also automatically reduce the greed for black money.

The slogan of zero tolerance by the Chief Minister will be fruitful only when all government officials come under the new initiative and that is what Naveen has done. Another aspect of this is that the property statements will be in public domain – a step that will definitely bring in transparency to its best.

In the last few years, Odisha government led by Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik has taken stringent measures to prevent corruption. While the vigilance department has been activated, officials from the top to bottom are facing the heat. More than a hundred officials including Civil Servants and higher officials have been dismissed from their services on corruption charges. Each and every day, the vigilance department is carrying out raids and investigating complaints of wrongdoing by government officials.

Naveen’s system for governance has been centered around people and he has said that People are the real Boss. Those in high offices are paid from the pockets of the common man and they don’t have any right to do wrong with the power entrusted with them. Another important step that Naveen took recently is that people’s representatives will suggest the government on governance. Now all suggestions coming from the ground will be taken into discussion and implemented if found to be worthy and could change the life of common man. This brings the common man and their leaders nearer to the government.

With focus on Zero Tolerance, Naveen has hit the center of a problem that has been dogging the society for decades. Naveen has said that “The fight against Corruption will help us in our fight against all ills of society. May it be inequality, May it be poverty, May it be Injustice, in fact all maladies.”

“We are fighting against poverty, disease, regional inequality, natural disasters, inequality, injustice and incompetence. All our fights are worthless unless we focus on transparency and eradicate corruption”, Naveen said while addressing the State Council Meeting of Biju Janata Dal.

Today Odisha’s unrelenting fight against corruption has brought it into focus in the country. Whether setting up special court to trial corruption cases or the confiscation of property of corrupt individuals, Odisha is at the forefront in the fight against corruption. Odisha is one of the few states in the country to have a powerful Lokayukta. The government led by Naveen has taken strong and exemplary action against corrupt officials, no matter how big they are. From Sarpanchs to Block Chairmen and Zilla Parishad Presidents and Vice Presidents, from MLAs, Ministers and Chief Minister, all should disclose their property statement and it will be kept in the public domain, Naveen gave this proposal at the BJD State Council Meeting. Biju Janata Dal has also the unique distinction of making all its MPs and MLAs to voluntarily disclose their property and set an example for the entire country.

One of the most important and distinct aspects of Naveen’s secret of success good governance has been the thrust on youth. In the recently concluded Biju Janata Meetings of the Youth wing and students wing, Naveen called upon the youth and student community of Odisha to create for themselves a unique identity that will help them serve the people in this digital age. Naveen’s call for giving importance to digital revolution will help bridge the gap between the government and masses. This is the age of Social Media. Youth and students have to play an important role in this age.

Speaking on the occasion of the Executive Body Meeting of the Biju Chatra Janata Dal, he said “Social Media is also flooded with misinformation. Many a times, the information coming on social media and even in mainstream media is not true. You have to fight against this misinformation. Misinformation is now the greatest enemy to social harmony.”

He said that students are the agents of transformation and urged them to counter the false propaganda and misinformation circulated made in the social media. He also called upon the students to dedicate themselves for the betterment of the society. Naveen wanted them to abide by three things in life i.e., work hard to fully develop your potential and create a unique identity for yourself. Secondly, never forget your responsibility towards your parents. And thirdly, use your full potential to develop the society in which you have grown up.

Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik’s thrust on youth power, adoption of digitalization, women empowerment, rural economy and transformation of governance are leading the state to a new height each day. With each passing day, Naveen is showing the world that when intensions are good nothing is impossible.