Bhubaneshwar

The Odisha government has launched two new rural development initiatives aimed at improving infrastructure, expanding access to basic amenities and accelerating inclusive growth in villages across the state, officials said.

The schemes — the Model Village Mission and the Mahapurusha Adarsha Grama Yojana (MAGY) — were virtually launched in Bhubaneswar on Monday by Rabi Narayan Naik, the state’s Rural Development, Panchayati Raj and Drinking Water Minister.

The launch comes ahead of Odisha’s three-tier panchayat elections, which are scheduled to take place early next year.

Speaking at the event, Naik said the Model Village Mission has been designed as a major initiative to ensure that villages in Odisha receive essential infrastructure and public amenities comparable to urban areas.

“This mission will empower rural regions by providing urban-level facilities and help transform villages into self-reliant and self-governing centres of prosperity,” the minister said.

Under the first phase of the programme, all headquarters villages of 6,733 gram panchayats across the state will be covered by 2029.

Naik said a baseline survey would be carried out to identify gaps in infrastructure and access to essential services at the village level.

To ensure proper implementation and monitoring, the state government has constituted a state-level task force, while district-level task forces led by collectors have also been formed.

Officials said the Mahapurusha Adarsha Grama Yojana aims to promote holistic development in the native gram panchayats of eminent personalities who have made exceptional contributions to Odisha’s social, cultural, literary and political history.

The scheme will be implemented between 2026-27 and 2028-29 and is expected to cover around 100 to 150 gram panchayats across Odisha.

In the initial phase, the programme will be introduced in 15 gram panchayats associated with 16 distinguished personalities across 12 districts, Naik said.

The scheme will prioritise infrastructure projects such as roads, piped drinking water supply, healthcare facilities, anganwadi centres, playgrounds, digital connectivity, solar energy infrastructure, memorial parks and restoration of ancestral homes.

The initiative will also focus on skill development, digital literacy, livelihood generation and social security measures for rural residents.

Naik said both schemes would be implemented through convergence with various central and state government programmes. Separate committees at the state, district and block levels will oversee coordination, monitoring and supervision.

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“The initiative will not only preserve and honour the legacy of Odisha’s eminent personalities but also promote inclusive and sustainable development in rural areas,” the minister added.