In a significant step towards improving citizen-centric governance and ensuring timely justice, the Housing & Urban Development (H&UD) Department organized a Special Camp Court at UNNATI Bhawan in Bhubaneswar on Friday.

The initiative was undertaken to expedite the disposal of appeal cases filed under the Odisha Development Authorities (ODA) Act, 1982, and reduce the backlog of pending cases.

Usha Padhee Presides Over Proceedings

The Camp Court was convened under the leadership of Usha Padhee, Additional Chief Secretary of the Housing & Urban Development Department. As the designated Appellate Authority for matters related to the Bhubaneswar Development Authority (BDA) and the Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC), she personally reviewed and heard a large number of pending appeals during the day-long session.

142 Cases Disposed of in a Single Day

A total of 142 appeal cases were heard and disposed of during the Special Camp Court. Most of the cases involved appeals filed by citizens against orders issued by BDA and BMC under the provisions of the ODA Act.

The successful disposal of such a large number of cases in a single day is expected to provide relief to citizens awaiting resolution of their grievances and contribute to reducing case pendency.

Strengthening Transparency and Accountability

Officials stated that the initiative reflects the Department’s commitment to transparent, responsive, and accessible governance. By offering citizens an effective platform to challenge administrative decisions and seek redressal of grievances, the Camp Court reinforced the principles of fairness, accountability, and due process.

Decentralized Appellate System to Speed Up Case Disposal

As part of broader reforms, the state government has recently designated senior officers, including Special Secretaries and Additional Secretaries, as Appellate Authorities for similar cases. This decentralized mechanism is expected to further accelerate the disposal of appeals and improve service delivery in urban areas.

Positive Response from Citizens

The Special Camp Court received an encouraging response from citizens and stakeholders. The Housing & Urban Development Department has announced plans to continue such initiatives in a phased and time-bound manner to clear pending cases and strengthen public confidence in urban governance institutions.

The move is being seen as an important step toward making governance more efficient, transparent, and citizen-friendly across Odisha.

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A two-day conference of District Collectors and Superintendents of Police commenced in Bhubaneswar, focusing on strengthening governance, transparency, and public service delivery. Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi addressed the gathering, providing guidance aimed at achieving a prosperous Odisha by 2036.

Chief Minister’s Nine Key Directives to District Collectors

During his address, the Chief Minister outlined nine crucial directives to ensure efficient administration and citizen-centric governance:

1. Eliminate Corruption: Officials must maintain integrity and ensure corruption is not tolerated.

2. Conduct Field Visits: District Collectors should personally visit areas to monitor progress and address issues.

3. Use Technology in Governance: Implement real-time data solutions for effective problem-solving.

4. Prioritize Public Grievances: Give importance to citizen complaints and ensure proper resolution at the district level.

5. Promote Odia Language: Government correspondence, notices, and advertisements must be published in Odia.

6. Leverage Social Media: Disseminate government information widely through social platforms.

7. Review Outsourcing Practices: Examine current outsourcing at PMU and district levels and take corrective measures.

8. Respect Elected Representatives: Welcome and honor elected representatives visiting government offices.

9. Identify and Replace Inefficient Officers: Take strict action against officials involved in malpractice or inefficiency.

Focus on Odia Language and Cultural Identity

The Chief Minister emphasized strengthening the use of Odia in government offices. All departmental letters and notices should be issued in Odia immediately, ensuring the language’s official status is reinforced. This move aims to protect Odia identity while promoting administrative efficiency.

Revenue Minister Highlights Corruption-Free Governance

Revenue Minister Suresh Pujari expressed concern over corruption in government offices, including issues like unauthorized land registration under deceased persons’ names. He urged officials to remain vigilant, monitor daily activities, and take corrective action proactively before vigilance intervention. The goal is to ensure a transparent, citizen-friendly administration.

Achievements and Future Goals

The conference highlighted the successes of the Revenue Department, including:

• Distribution of land pattas to 24,000 educational institutions.

• Allocation of land to 25,000 landless families.

However, ministers emphasized the need for more people-friendly services and continuous field engagement to understand and resolve citizen issues. Officials were urged to use modern technology in governance and prioritize agricultural development, health, and industrial growth.

Strict Action Against Illegal Activities

The Chief Minister directed strict action against:

• Illegal mining and liquor operations.

• Corrupt officials from IAS to fourth-grade staff involved in malpractice.

Officials were warned that the government will not tolerate corruption and that vigilance action will be taken wherever irregularities are found.

Citizen-Centric Governance and Future Vision

CM Mohan Majhi reiterated the importance of laying strong foundations for sustainable development. Emphasizing that governance should serve the public efficiently, he urged officials to focus on citizen service, field monitoring, and technological integration to drive Odisha toward a prosperous 2036.

He concluded by stressing that strong, corruption-free administration is essential for long-term growth in industries, agriculture, health, and overall public welfare.

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