Bhubaneswar: The Governor of Odisha, Dr. Hari Babu Kambhampati, held an interactive session with the 2023 batch of Odisha Administrative Service (OAS) officer trainees. During the interaction, the Governor called upon the trainees to act as a vital bridge between the government and the citizens, urging them to acquire an in-depth understanding of various welfare schemes implemented by both the Central and State governments to ensure the delivery of high-quality public services.
Emphasizing the importance of practical exposure, the Governor stated that administrators must possess a clear and realistic understanding of grassroots-level realities. He highlighted that this foundational knowledge is essential for the seamless implementation of welfare programs and for ensuring that eligible beneficiaries are successfully integrated into these schemes.
During the discussion, the Governor advised the officer trainees to familiarize themselves with prominent national welfare initiatives, including the Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana (PMSBY), the Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana (PMJJBY), and the PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana. He noted that conscious and proactive officers play a crucial role in making the public service delivery system more dynamic and responsive. Additionally, he recommended that the officers enroll themselves in various social security schemes and actively work towards their widespread promotion.
Addressing global economic challenges, the Governor spoke about the geopolitical tensions in West Asia and India’s substantial reliance on crude oil imports, which places a significant burden on the nation’s foreign exchange reserves. To mitigate these pressures, he suggested bringing about behavioral changes at an individual level, specifically by encouraging a gradual transition from conventional petrol and diesel vehicles to electric vehicles (EVs).
Linking clean mobility with renewable energy, the Governor highlighted the growing importance of the PM Surya Ghar Yojana. He emphasized the integration of rooftop solar panels with EV charging systems. In this context, he also shared that the Lok Seva Bhawan is steadily moving towards obtaining green certification.
Reflecting on the Covid-19 pandemic, the Governor remarked on how the country successfully turned a major crisis into an opportunity through self-reliance, innovation, and rapid digital transformation. He further suggested that citizens could help ease the pressure on foreign exchange reserves by regulating non-essential expenditures, such as excessive gold purchases, unnecessary foreign travel, and the overconsumption of edible oils.
At the beginning of the program, Dr. Monalisa Lenka, Deputy Director General of the Gopabandhu Academy of Administration, delivered the welcome address and presented a brief overview of the training curriculum designed for the officer trainees.