Odisha will introduce an effective Social Media Policy to strengthen government communication in the digital age, Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi announced on Friday. He also launched the ‘E-Sanchar App’ to ensure greater transparency and accountability in government advertisement management.

Addressing Odisha Information Service officers at Lok Seva Bhawan Convention Centre in Bhubaneswar, the Chief Minister emphasised the need to adopt emerging social media trends and establish a seamless digital information and communication mechanism from district offices to the state headquarters.

Majhi said the government would strengthen fact-checking mechanisms to counter misinformation, rumours, deepfakes and artificially generated videos. He urged information officers to verify facts before sharing content and ensure that accurate information reaches the public promptly.

Highlighting the three key principles of government communication—accuracy, speed and simplicity—the Chief Minister said official communication must be factual, timely and easy for citizens to understand. He stressed that officers should move beyond issuing press releases and develop professional communication skills suited to the evolving digital landscape.

The Chief Minister also called for effective social media monitoring and social listening to understand public feedback and address citizens’ concerns quickly. He encouraged officers to use storytelling to highlight how government welfare schemes are improving people’s lives, describing beneficiaries’ experiences as evidence of effective service delivery.

Chief Secretary Anu Garg said accurate and transparent communication would strengthen public trust in the government. She urged officers to communicate welfare initiatives and development achievements with sincerity and commitment.

Additional Chief Secretary of the Information and Public Relations Department Hemant Sharma highlighted the growing importance of social media in administration.

During the programme, Majhi also released the annual magazine Lokasampark, prepared by the Odisha Information Service Association. Senior officials, including Press Information Bureau Additional Director General Akhil Kumar Mishra, attended the event.

The Chief Minister assured support for improving officers’ skills and strengthening digital communication infrastructure across Odisha.

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Odisha Governor Dr Hari Babu Kambhampati on Friday met President Droupadi Murmu at Rashtrapati Bhavan in New Delhi during the second day of his visit to the national capital.

During the meeting, the Governor and the President discussed various issues concerning Odisha, with a focus on the state’s development and the welfare of its people. They also exchanged views on matters of importance to Odisha.

Dr Kambhampati is currently in New Delhi to attend a series of programmes and meet senior dignitaries during his visit. His engagements are focused on discussions concerning the state and matters related to its development and governance.

The Governor’s meeting with President Murmu comes a day after he called on Vice-President C. P. Radhakrishnan on Thursday. During that interaction, the two discussed issues related to Odisha’s development, governance and welfare initiatives.

The Governor’s series of meetings with senior constitutional authorities in the national capital comes amid continued discussions on key issues concerning Odisha and its people.

Dr Kambhampati’s visit to New Delhi is expected to provide an opportunity for discussions on the state’s priorities and development-related matters with senior national leaders and dignitaries.

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Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Saturday interacted with students during a Guru Divas celebration at Secondary Board High School in Cuttack and urged them to focus on education and career building instead of wasting time on social media.

Addressing the students, Majhi said their primary responsibility is to study sincerely, develop skills and contribute to the development of both themselves and the country. He also cautioned them against misinformation and activities that could affect their careers.

Highlighting the importance of teachers, the Chief Minister said education is not merely about acquiring knowledge but is a vital process of building responsible human beings. He stressed the need for a friendly and positive relationship between teachers and students and urged youngsters to seek the blessings of their parents and teachers.

Majhi also highlighted the state government’s education initiatives, stating that Odisha has become the first state in the country to provide free education from KG to PG. He said the government is constructing 2,200 world-class Godabarish Mishra Model Primary Schools at a cost of ₹12,000 crore and has opened 45,000 Shishu Vatika centres.

The Chief Minister reiterated the government’s commitment to filling 45,000 teacher vacancies within the next three years. He also highlighted free textbooks and mid-day meals for Classes IX and X and the Shaheed Madho Singh Haath Kharcha Yojana for tribal students.

Majhi praised the ‘Panchsakha Shiksha Setu’ initiative for involving alumni in school transformation and felicitated five teachers for their dedicated service.

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Odisha has taken a major step towards safer urban mobility with the launch of the Odisha Yatri Safety App, described as India’s first state-owned safety app. Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi launched the initiative on the occasion of Local Self-Government Day.

The launch event was attended by Housing and Urban Development Minister Dr. Krushna Chandra Mahapatra and Odisha Yatri brand ambassador and actor Archita Sahu.

The new safety module has been integrated into the Odisha Yatri platform with a focus on providing quick emergency assistance to passengers and drivers. One of its key features is Shake & Alert, which allows users to trigger an emergency alert simply by shaking their smartphone.

The app also offers a one-click SOS facility, enabling users to immediately contact the emergency response number 112 and alert designated emergency contacts. Passengers can share their live location with trusted contacts, allowing their journey to be monitored in real time.

Other features include quick access to police, ambulance and fire services, emergency audio recording and sharing, trusted contact integration and a Mark Ride as Safe option to close an alert after reaching a safe destination.

The safety initiative is aimed at making public and shared mobility more secure and inclusive, particularly for women, senior citizens and other vulnerable passengers.

Launching the app, Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi stressed the importance of safe, accessible and dependable transportation in building citizen-friendly cities. He said technology should strengthen public confidence and enable citizens, especially women, to travel independently without fear.

Minister Krushna Chandra Mahapatra said the initiative reflects the government’s commitment to developing a modern urban transport system focused on safety, dignity and convenience.

Odisha Yatri currently provides services including ride booking, Ama Bus services, FASTicket spot booking and boating facilities. With the new safety features, the platform aims to deliver a safer and more reliable mobility experience across Odisha.

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Women passengers across several cities in Odisha will be able to travel free on Ama Bus services on August 27, 2026, on the occasion of Raksha Bandhan. The initiative has been announced by the Capital Region Urban Transport (CRUT) as part of its commitment to safe, convenient and affordable public transportation for women.

The free travel facility will be available on all Ama Bus services operating in Bhubaneswar, Cuttack, Puri, Rourkela, Sambalpur, Berhampur and Keonjhar. CRUT expects more than one lakh women passengers to benefit from the initiative in a single day.

The move aims to ensure that women can travel safely and comfortably without the burden of fares. It is also aligned with the state government’s broader focus on women’s empowerment and is expected to complement initiatives aimed at strengthening women’s social and economic participation.

Ama Bus services are equipped with GPS-based tracking, CCTV surveillance, trained staff, passenger assistance systems and technology-driven operations. CRUT said these measures have helped strengthen the safety and reliability of urban public transport.

CRUT has also appealed to citizens to choose public transport during the festival. Greater use of buses can help reduce traffic congestion, control pollution and contribute to a cleaner urban environment.

Women travelling under the free-travel facility will be required to obtain a Zero Ticket during their journey. CRUT has urged passengers to cooperate with bus staff and follow passenger etiquette to ensure a smooth and comfortable travel experience.

The initiative is expected to provide women passengers with a safe, reliable and hassle-free travel experience across all cities where Ama Bus services are operational.

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Odisha Housing and Urban Development Minister Dr Krushna Chandra Mahapatra chaired a high-level review meeting to assess ongoing urban development and mobility projects, directing officials to accelerate execution and ensure timely utilisation of funds.

The meeting, held at Kharabela Bhawan, reviewed key programmes of the Housing and Urban Development Department. The minister stressed coordinated action, close monitoring and outcome-oriented implementation to ensure projects deliver timely benefits to citizens.

Speaking to the media, Dr Mahapatra said the government is working to expand affordable housing for different income groups. Discussions focused on developing housing models for Economically Weaker Sections, Low Income Groups and Middle Income Groups, along with rental housing solutions.

The minister said a technical team would be deputed to Maharashtra to examine the feasibility of adopting precast construction technology in Odisha. The team will study initiatives such as the “Mission 100” model, which aims to construct 100 houses in 100 days.

The government is also planning to expand Town Planning Schemes across larger urban areas to promote systematic and planned growth.

On urban mobility, Mahapatra highlighted plans to expand the “Odisha Yatri” initiative across cities. The move aims to provide convenient mobility options while creating sustainable livelihood opportunities for drivers.

The meeting also reviewed monsoon-related damage to roads and drainage infrastructure. Officials were directed to expedite repairs and restoration and speed up Storm Water Drainage Master Plans across Urban Local Bodies.

The minister further called for strengthening Development Authorities across districts to improve town planning and urban expansion. He directed officials to maintain field-level monitoring and complete projects within defined timelines.

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Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi reviewed the ongoing redevelopment projects of SCB Medical College and Hospital in Cuttack and Hanuman Vatika in Rourkela at a high-level meeting at Lok Seva Bhawan.

The Chief Minister reviewed the progress of the SCB Medical College mega project, aimed at transforming the institution into a world-class healthcare centre. Officials informed the meeting that construction of four new clinical blocks and one residential block is progressing rapidly. The residential block is nearing completion, while the clinical blocks are expected to be completed by June next year.

Majhi directed officials to identify a suitable location and submit a proposal for another medicine block at SCB at the earliest. He also stressed timely completion of the multi-level car parking facility and other supporting infrastructure.

The Chief Minister directed officials to develop the areas along both sides of the Taladanda Canal near SCB, including wider roads, improved traffic connectivity and landscaping, to create a better environment for patients and visitors. The integrated development is also expected to ease traffic around Acharya Harihar Regional Cancer Centre and nearby institutions.

The meeting also reviewed the redevelopment of Hanuman Vatika, a major religious and tourist attraction in Rourkela. Majhi directed the Odisha Bridge and Construction Corporation to develop the new structures in a spiritual style while preserving the sanctity and natural surroundings of the site.

Officials were asked to accelerate construction of the Kalyan Mandap and other proposed spiritual structures. The Works Department was also directed to prepare a detailed project report for beautification, wider roads and lighting around Hanuman Vatika.

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Odisha Revenue and Disaster Management Minister Suresh Pujari on Wednesday launched a WhatsApp-based Revenue Grievance Redressal System through the ‘Ama Sathi’ WhatsApp Chatbot, aimed at making revenue administration more transparent, accountable and citizen-centric.

Under the new system, citizens can lodge complaints related to Revenue Department services through WhatsApp at 9437292000. They will also receive updates at every stage of the grievance process, including submission, progress, verification, action taken, resolution or rejection.

Launching the system at Lok Seva Bhawan, Minister Suresh Pujari said the initiative would bring Revenue services closer to citizens and make the grievance redressal process simpler and more accessible.

Additional Chief Secretary, Revenue and Disaster Management Department, Dr Arabinda Kumar Padhee, said the new mechanism would streamline grievance management and strengthen accountability. He added that direct monitoring by the Minister, departmental secretary and senior officials would ensure greater responsiveness in addressing public complaints.

How the Grievance System Works

Citizens can select the relevant grievance category through WhatsApp and submit the required details along with supporting documents. The complaint will then be forwarded to the appropriate authority based on its nature.

For general revenue grievances, the Tahasildar will initially examine the complaint and take necessary action. If field verification or additional information is required, the matter may be forwarded to the concerned Revenue Inspector (RI).

After receiving the RI’s report, the Tahasildar will take further action. Cases requiring higher-level intervention may be escalated to the Sub-Collector, Additional District Magistrate and District Collector.

The grievances will be monitored against prescribed timelines to ensure timely disposal.

Citizens to Receive Updates on WhatsApp

A key feature of the system is continuous communication with complainants. Citizens will receive WhatsApp notifications regarding the status of their grievances, including verification, forwarding to higher authorities and final resolution or rejection.

Once a grievance is disposed of, citizens will also be able to rate the service and provide feedback. The feedback will help the department monitor service quality and introduce improvements.

The system will provide facilities including digital grievance submission, category-wise registration, online tracking, field verification, escalation to higher authorities, digital record-keeping and monitoring.

Wide Range of Revenue Issues Covered

The new system will accept complaints related to land and land records, Record of Rights (RoR), mutation, correction of Column 2, land conversion, partition, encroachment, demarcation, OLR Sections 22 and 23, Regulation 2.0, land revenue or Pauti, registration and stamp duty, disaster and relief, certificates and other Revenue Department-related matters.

The department is also considering integrating grievances submitted physically at Revenue offices into the unified digital system in the future. This would allow both online and offline complaints to be tracked through a single platform.

The ‘Ama Sathi’ WhatsApp Chatbot already provides several Revenue services, including mutation, land conversion, marriage registration, society registration, registration-related information, certified copies of registered documents, caste certificates, income certificates and residential certificates.

During the launch programme, the process of filing grievances through WhatsApp by citizens from Rayagada, Jharsuguda and Cuttack was demonstrated, along with their subsequent management and resolution by the administration.

The programme was attended by Additional Chief Secretary Dr Arabinda Kumar Padhee, CMGI Executive Director Surendra Kumar Meena and senior officials of the Revenue and Disaster Management Department. Collectors, Additional District Magistrates, Tahasildars and other officials from various districts participated virtually.

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The Water Resources Department held a high-level review meeting on Thursday to assess the implementation of ongoing projects and utilisation of the department’s budget.

The meeting was chaired by Principal Secretary Shubha Sharma at the conference hall of the Water Resources Department. The discussions focused on accelerating development activities in the water resources sector, ensuring effective utilisation of funds and completing projects within stipulated timelines.

Senior officials were directed to expedite the implementation of major irrigation, drainage, dam, barrage and canal projects. The review covered ongoing works, projects where the tender process has been completed, as well as proposed works.

Officials were instructed to regularly monitor expenditure and ensure timely finalisation of tenders and issuance of work orders. The meeting also stressed the need for quick decisions on pending approvals and EFC proposals, realistic expenditure estimates and effective utilisation of the budget during the financial year.

The department emphasised that expenditure should not be limited to achieving financial targets but must be outcome-oriented. Timely completion of ongoing projects, creation of irrigation potential, strengthening of water resources infrastructure and delivery of intended project benefits to people were identified as key priorities.

Officials were also advised to make coordinated efforts for the most productive and efficient utilisation of available financial resources.

A presentation on the PM Gati Shakti portal was made during the meeting. Discussions were subsequently held on strengthening the water cess collection system and improving the Bamis portal.

Officials were directed to take necessary steps to ensure better monitoring and management of departmental activities through effective use of the PM Gati Shakti platform, increasing water cess collection and further upgrading the Bamis portal.

The meeting also discussed Odisha’s nomination for the National Water Awards.

The meeting was attended by Engineer-in-Chief Dilip Kumar Rout, Director of Rehabilitation and Resettlement Ashok Kumar Behera, senior departmental officials, chief engineers and other officials.

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