On the occasion of Utkal Divas, Prime Minister Narendra Modi penned a heartfelt letter in Odia to Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, extending warm greetings to the people of Odisha.

Praise for Odisha’s Rich Heritage and Culture

In his letter, the Prime Minister highlighted Odisha’s glorious history and vibrant cultural legacy, describing Odia culture as a “civilizational heritage.” He praised the state’s iconic landmarks such as the Jagannath Temple Puri, Lingaraj Temple, and Konark Sun Temple as timeless symbols of devotion and architectural excellence.

He also emphasized the global popularity of Odissi dance, traditional music, festivals, and the rich artistic traditions like Pattachitra, which reflect Odisha’s deep spiritual roots.

Tribute to Legendary Personalities

The Prime Minister paid tribute to several iconic figures from Odisha, including Buxi Jagabandhu, Veer Surendra Sai, Madhusudan Das, Gopabandhu Das, Fakir Mohan Senapati, Gangadhar Meher, Harekrushna Mahatab, Malati Choudhury, Sarala Devi, and Parbati Giri.

He also remembered Biju Patnaik, calling his life a symbol of courage, strength, and dedication to nation-building.

Strong Cultural and Historical Bonds with Gujarat

Modi reflected on his long association with Odisha, dating back to his tenure as Chief Minister of Gujarat. He noted cultural similarities between Gujarat and Odisha, including the presence of grand Sun Temples and the tradition of Rath Yatra in both regions.

Focus on Infrastructure and Development

Highlighting recent development initiatives, the Prime Minister noted that Odisha has received record allocations for railways and road infrastructure. The railway budget for 2025–26 has been increased to ₹10,600 crore, a sharp rise from the ₹838 crore annual average between 2009 and 2014.

He said improved connectivity would boost logistics and tourism, unlocking Odisha’s vast potential.

Support for Tribal Welfare and Key Schemes

The Prime Minister emphasized efforts to uplift tribal communities through various schemes, including the PM-Janman Yojana. He also highlighted initiatives aimed at improving livelihoods and ensuring inclusive growth across the state.

Industrial Growth and Emerging Sectors

Modi pointed to Odisha’s growing role in strategic sectors such as rare earth minerals, semiconductor manufacturing, and port-led development. Projects around Paradip and Gopalpur, along with riverine port initiatives on the Mahanadi, were cited as examples of the state’s industrial potential.

Women Empowerment and Social Progress

The Prime Minister praised the success of the Subhadra Yojana, which has benefited over one crore women, enhancing financial independence and dignity. He also lauded Odisha’s efforts in creating “Lakhpati Didis” and strengthening women-led development.

Fight Against Left-Wing Extremism

Modi expressed pride in the government’s success in tackling left-wing extremism, crediting coordinated efforts for improving security and enabling development in affected regions.

Sports and Youth Empowerment

He highlighted Odisha’s emergence as a sporting hub, noting that the state’s selection to host the 2028 World Athletics Indoor Championship is a matter of national pride.

Vision for Odisha’s Future

Looking ahead, the Prime Minister urged the state government to work collectively towards Odisha’s long-term progress, especially as it approaches 100 years of statehood in the coming decade.

Reiterating his greetings, Modi expressed confidence that with the blessings of Lord Jagannath and the strength of its people, Odisha will continue to achieve new milestones in development and contribute to the vision of a “Viksit Bharat.”

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New Year Vision for a More Active and Accountable Governance

On the occasion of the New Year, Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi issued a comprehensive 15-point directive to Chief Secretary Anu Garg and all senior administrative officers, outlining a renewed governance approach aimed at making the state administration more proactive, accountable, and development-oriented.

The Chief Minister’s new administrative roadmap reflects a clear shift towards efficiency, transparency, and performance-driven governance.

Vision 2036: Towards a Prosperous Odisha

Chief Minister Majhi reiterated the government’s long-term goal of building a “Prosperous Odisha by 2036.” He emphasized plans to position Odisha among the top five developed states in India, steering the state towards a mixed economy model with strong emphasis on knowledge-driven industries and the service sector.

Fast-Tracking Industrial Growth

To accelerate industrialisation, the Chief Minister directed all District Collectors to actively facilitate industrial development in their respective districts. He stressed the need to fast-track approvals and administrative processes to attract investment and ensure time-bound implementation of projects.

Administrative Reforms and Accountability

A major focus of the 15-point directive is administrative reform. The Chief Minister announced that all vacant posts will be filled within the next two years, with priority given to skilled and well-trained officers.

He also issued a stern warning against corruption and inefficiency, stating that strict action will be taken against corrupt, incompetent, or irresponsible officers, including provisions for compulsory retirement where necessary.

Performance Monitoring and Project Review

The Chief Minister underlined the importance of regular review and evaluation to ensure successful implementation of government projects. Officers have been instructed to conduct field visits, submit detailed reports, and ensure that on-ground realities are reflected in administrative decision-making. These efforts will directly influence performance evaluations of officials.

Emphasis on Odia Language in Governance

In a significant cultural and administrative move, Chief Minister Majhi directed that all government work, notices, notifications, official letters, and communications be conducted in the Odia language, reinforcing the state’s linguistic identity.

Public Grievance Redressal and Field Engagement

The directive places strong emphasis on public grievance redressal. Officers at all levels have been instructed to listen to citizens’ complaints seriously and conduct field inspections to ensure timely resolution of issues.

Chief Secretary Anu Garg Assumes Charge

With the New Year, Chief Secretary Anu Garg formally assumed her new responsibilities. Speaking to the media for the first time after taking charge, she stated that her priority would be to maximize work output and efficiency.

She also announced that she would hold a meeting with all departmental secretaries on her first day to align administrative machinery with the Chief Minister’s vision.

Symbolic Change in Government Offices

Meanwhile, in line with the Chief Minister’s emphasis on work over ceremony, the New Year began on a restrained note in government offices. At Lok Seva Bhawan, officials and staff greeted each other without bouquets or ceremonial formalities, symbolising a renewed focus on duty and performance over tradition.

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Bhubaneswar: The Odisha Engineers’ Service Association (OESA) has intensified its demand to appoint an engineer as the Secretary of the Works Department. In a letter to Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, the association urged the government to restore the tradition of appointing engineers to head the department, an engineering domain by nature and function.

Since 1974, engineers have been at the helm of the Works Department, steering major infrastructure development across Odisha. This tradition saw a break during the BJD government’s tenure when, in 2003-04, IAS officer Arabinda Behera was appointed as Works Secretary. After his brief stint, the post returned to engineers from 2004 to 2019. Under the leadership of Er. Subhendu Kumar Ray (2007–2013) and Er. Nalini Pradhan (2013–2019), the department achieved major milestones in road, bridge, and building projects.

Political Interference led to a Shift in 2019

In 2019, the BJD government once again disrupted the tradition by appointing IAS officer Kishan Kumar as Works Secretary. This decision was not backed by any cabinet resolution or formal policy. The aim was to keep tight political control over the department.

Projects Suffered Under Bureaucratic Leadership

Although the number of projects increased during Kishan Kumar’s tenure, the execution suffered. Projects were implemented in a scattered manner, leading to delays, inflated costs, and technical deviations. Lacking engineering expertise, the Secretary failed to motivate the department’s engineers or manage technical tasks effectively.

The department began outsourcing core responsibilities to private consultants. This shift drained hundreds of crores from the State exchequer. It also eroded in-house capabilities and accountability.

Engineer as Odisha Works Secretary

In its appeal, the OESA said engineering departments require technical vision, sound judgment, and professional oversight. “Only engineers can understand the complexities of infrastructure projects. Their education, experience, and training equip them to ensure timely, cost-effective, and sustainable outcomes,” the association noted.

The letter added that leadership by engineers fosters a culture of professionalism, innovation, and technical compliance—essential for long-term development goals.

Demand to Restore Engineer-in-Chief-cum-Secretary Post

The OESA has strongly recommended reinstating the post of Engineer-in-Chief-cum-Secretary for the Works Department. “We must bring back engineers to lead the department to uphold its professional standards and ensure Odisha’s infrastructure agenda moves in the right direction,” the letter stated.

CM Mohan Majhi’s Intervention Sought

OESA has urged Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi to act on this long-standing issue. The association believes the restoration of an engineer as Works Secretary will strengthen project implementation, enhance accountability, and restore pride among the engineering fraternity of the State.

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