Bhubaneswar: In a major step, the new BJP Government has decided to celebrate Panchayati Raj Diwas or Day on April 24 instead of March 5, Chief Minister’s Office (CMO) said in a press statement this evening.
Since 2020, Panchayati Raj Day has been celebrated on March 5 in Odisha. Every year, April 24 is celebrated as National Panchayati Raj Day. On this day, awards are given to Panchayat representatives of various states, Rashtriya Gaurav Gram Sabha Award, MGNREGA Award, etc.
To overcome this variation at the national and state levels in the celebration of Panchayati Raj Day, the State government has decided to celebrate the Day on April 24 instead of March 5, the CMO said.
Public Service Day will also be celebrated on April 24. Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi has taken this decision.
March 5 is the birth anniversary of freedom fighter Biju Patnaik. The State government has decided to celebrate the day with a grand manner. However, this day will not be celebrated as an official holiday, it said.
Earlier in the day, BJD had questioned the State government about the celebration of Panchayati Raj Day in the State. Senior BJD leader Debi Prasad Mishra said only two left two the Panchayati Raj Day, the State government has not taken any steps at government level to celebrate it.
Shri Mishra has urged the government to take immediate action in this regard.