Bhubaneswar, Sep 4: Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Wednesday approved the dissolution of all the 23 Special Development Councils (SDCs), established by previous BJD government in the State.

The previous Naveen Patnaik-led BJD government had initially formed the SDCs in nine tribal-dominated districts - Maurbhanj, Keonjhar, Sundargarh, Gajapati, Kandhamal, Rayagada, Malkangiri, Nabarangpur and Koraput - in 2017 in order to ensure the development of the areas through its welfare schemes.

In 2023, the Naveen Patnaik government formed SDCs in 14 more districts apparently keeping an eye on the 2024 elections.

However, it was alleged that the Naveen Patnaik government had formed the SDCs to accommodate the BJD leaders as the chairman and members of these councils.

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