OTV Exclusive: Mohan Majhi-govt promises accountable governance in Odisha

For the first time, a BJP-led government is independently steering Odisha. With a focus on the citizens’ participation, reduced bureaucratic dominance, and rapid implementation of several welfare schemes, the current government promises a new era of responsive and accountable governance.

Also Read: Odisha Cabinet expansion on cards? CM Mohan Majhi drops big hint

In an exclusive interview with OTV, Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi said that the new BJP-led government in Odisha did not have ‘challenges’; rather, it had ‘priorities’ at the time when it independently assumed office for the first time.

“BJP’s election manifesto (Sankalp Patra 2024) was designed keeping in mind the aims and aspirations of people in the State. The previous (BJD-led, Naveen Patnaik) government was not with ‘people’; it was with the ‘elections’ instead. Speaking otherwise, BJD’s planning was aimed at winning polls. Most of BJD’s yojanas either failed or were stopped after winning elections. After people came to know about it, they wanted a change and hence ousted the then government,” the CM remarked.

Dominance of bureaucrats squeezed

The major difference between the two governments is that the Mohan Majhi government is a people’s government, and it functions as per the proposals of citizens. ‘Bureaucratic rule’ thrives under the cloak of ‘lack of will-power’ in a leader. Dominance of the bureaucrats in governance was squeezed by the current (BJP-led) government, CM Majhi stated.

“Structural change brought in the Odisha Cabinet is the best example of it. More ‘power’ was accorded to Ministers as compared to the Secretaries. The successful implementation of various welfare schemes involves reaching out to people at the grassroots level. In a sense, it is due to reduced ‘bureaucratic dominance’,” the CM expressed.

Willpower is more required for successful governance not experience. Several of the BJP Ministers in Odisha are new. However, welfare schemes like Subhadra Yojana and Lakhpati Didi schemes have gained wide popularity, the CM further said.

“Opposition BJD has been criticising the current Government on many issues to remain in the limelight. Twenty-four years’ BJD-led government is no match for a 1-year-old Mohan Majhi government,” the CM commented.

“Eleven of the 21 promises made during the 2024 General Elections have been fulfilled in just 10 months. The State, which is lagging far behind, has to go a long way on the path of development, economy, and infrastructure,” CM Majhi gleamed.

“Zero tolerance to ‘corruption’ will continue in the future. No one, irrespective of personal clout or stature, will be spared at any cost. Evidence against the corrupt persons (who had hogged the headlines during the previous government) has been accumulated, and they will be punished at the right time,” the CM asserted.

Commitment to return the lost money to Chit Fund-affected people in Odisha within 18 months will be honoured. The small investors will get back their funds, CM Majhi added.

Reported By: Radhamadhab Mishra