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Arun Sahu
Bhubaneswar: The Odisha government has decided to form 500 new gram panchayats (GPs) before the Panchayat polls scheduled next year.
This was revealed by Panchayati Raj minister Arun Sahu after a review meeting on the annual performance of the department presided over by chief minister Naveen Patnaik at the State Secretariat here today.
Briefing media persons after the meeting, Sahu said; "There are a total of 6211 GPs in Odisha. The state government has decided to reorganize the panchayats in phases after looking into various aspects. As per the decision of the government, about 500 new GPs would be formed before the Panchayat polls scheduled next year,” he added.
Talking about the achievement of the Panchayati Raj department, Sahu said a total of 10,08,586 pucca houses have been built in the state under Rural Housing Scheme at a cost of Rs 4271 crore since 2014-15 up to the current fiscal.
He further said the state government, has generated a record 8.94 crore man days under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA).
Revealing that construction of 68,424 km concrete roads have been completed in rural areas by March 31 this year, the minister said the remaining villages will have either metal or concrete roads by 2019.
For social functions in rural areas, construction of a community hall in each panchayat is underway while plans are afoot to construct mini theatres in two panchayats in each block for cultural activities, the minister said.
Besides, steps are being taken to install hi-mast lights at each panchayat office in the state, Sahu added.
The minister said the government has provided untied fund for developmental work in the panchayats. Depending on the area and population, each panchayat would receive financial assistance of Rs 17 lakh to Rs 33 lakh, he said.
On the review of the Law department, he said the department had decided to open Madhu Babu Legal Assistance Centre in each panchayat where the people would be given free legal advice in a week.