Bhubaneswar: Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi today launched the ‘Bikashita Gaon, Bikashita Odisha’ (developed village, developed Odisha) scheme to bridge the development gap between cities and villages and ensure equality in basic infrastructure.
He launched the scheme at Jankia in the Khurda district, which was attended by Panchayati Raj and Drinking Water Minister Rabi Narayan Naik and senior officers.
Majhi described it as a prime example of the Prime Minister’s vision of “Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Vishwas, Sabka Prayas” and said that Rs 5,000 crore would be invested over five years (Rs1000 every year) to develop infrastructure in villages, positioning them as the growth engines of Odisha’s development. If necessary, the scheme will be further expanded, he assured.
The Chief Minister emphasized that the State’s development is impossible without the progress of its villages. He said that the scheme is entirely dedicated to village development and will be implemented through an annual plan in a structured manner.
The BJP government has announced the BGBO scheme after replacing the ‘Ama Odisha Nabin Odisha’ (AONO) scheme launched by the previous BJD government. He, however, said that though the previous BJD government had launched the AONO scheme, it did not make any budgetary provision under it.
“The BJD government had launched the AONO scheme just before general elections in 2024 to mislead the people,” Majhi said.
He said a maximum of 35 per cent of the total allotted funds can be utilised for road projects while 40 per cent of the allocation will be earmarked for blocks that come under the Integrated Tribal Development Agency (ITDA).
Stating that politics should not be a factor in the development of villages, Majhi said the incomplete projects under the AONO scheme in which a minimum 20 per cent expenditure has been incurred, can also be taken up and will be completed under the new scheme (BGBO).
The Chief Minister said gram sabhas will prepare a need-based five-year perspective plan on the basis of which, an annual action plan for each financial year will be prepared by the blocks.
Under this scheme, education, community assets, places of worship, sports infrastructure, and small tourism projects will be developed alongside village roads.
The plan prioritizes building essential infrastructure, with special emphasis on constructing roads within villages and connecting them to neighboring villages. Additionally, common-use facilities such as welfare centers, community centers, market sheds, and designated areas for changing clothes and washing animals will be constructed.
The scheme also includes provisions for improving places of worship, developing basic facilities for pilgrims, and constructing Bhog Mandaps, Bhagwat Tungis, and cultural centers, sources said.
To enhance educational infrastructure, additional classrooms will be built, and existing facilities will be improved and expanded. Furthermore, the scheme includes plans to develop sports infrastructure and small-scale tourism facilities.