Bhubaneswar: Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Monday inaugurated projects exceeding Rs 1,100 crore for Nuapada, just hours before the announcement of a by-election for the Assembly constituency. He also declared the elevation of Khariar Road Notified Area Council (NAC) to municipality status and the creation of two additional NACs. The Chief Minister laid the foundation for initiatives valued at approximately Rs 1,101 crore. Of this, Rs 802 crore has been allocated for irrigation development in Nuapada, alongside Rs 75 crore dedicated to welfare projects. Speaking at a public meeting at the Mini Stadium in Nuapada, he emphasized that the focus on irrigation initiatives demonstrates the BJP government’s commitment to farmers’ welfare.
“Since taking office 15 months ago, the BJP has fulfilled its promises, providing Rs 3,100 per quintal of paddy to farmers,” Majhi stated, noting that women are receiving Rs 10,000 annually under the Subhadra Yojana. He referred to these as ‘double dhamaka’ gifts from Odisha’s ‘double-engine’ government to the residents of Nuapada district. Majhi clarified that these announcements were not made solely due to the upcoming by-election, but were decisions made with the entire district in mind. BJP leaders characterize the government at both the Centre and State as a ‘double-engine’ government. “Nuapada’s development is my priority. The elevation of Khariar Road NAC into a municipality has been a long-standing demand that has now been fulfilled,” he added.
Majhi announced that the Komana block has been granted NAC status, and Sinapali and Godal gram panchayats have been integrated as an NAC. Additionally, he disclosed the establishment of seven new sub-registrar offices in the State, three of which will be located in Nuapada district. “To enhance administrative efficiency, we have decided to establish Sub-Registrar offices in all 317 tehsils across the State, with the initial phase including seven offices, such as those in Sinapali, Komna, and Boden in Nuapada district,” he mentioned.
“I assure you once more that our double-engine government is always prepared to assist you, and my doors are open for the people of Nuapada,” Majhi remarked, contrasting his accessibility with that of the former chief minister, who he claimed rarely engaged with the public. “The previous chief minister would occasionally wave and appear in public from a bus, but I am readily available for the people to express their concerns,” he added. Majhi asserted that the development of Nuapada is his personal responsibility and that the Central government is dedicated to supporting the State. “There is significant potential for growth and advancement in Nuapada, and the residents are known for their diligence,” he said.
He also noted that the ongoing Nuapada-Thirubally railway project will improve connectivity and promote economic development in the area. The Opposition BJD criticized the Chief Minister’s visit to Nuapada and the announcement of development projects just before the implementation of the Model Code of Conduct. “The Chief Minister is engaged in an election campaign in Nuapada while heavy rains have impacted other regions of the State,” BJD vice-president Sanjay Das Burma stated to the press. Moreover, the BJD’s women wing president, Snehangini Chhuria, claimed that former chief minister Naveen Patnaik had previously designated Sinapali as an NAC.
“There seems to be political maneuvering in removing Sinapali from the initial NAC list and adding it now,” she commented, asserting that Nuapada was established as a district in 1993 by Biju Patnaik. BJD representatives from Bhubaneswar have been present in Nuapada, and Odisha Congress president Bhakta Charan Das also spoke at a ‘Nyay Samavesh’ event near Chaltan Pada on Monday.