Bhubaneswar, Aug 13: In a significant step toward enhancing grassroots governance, Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi inaugurated the newly developed MLA-LAD Web Portal at Lok Seva Bhavan here on Wednesday.

The launch was accompanied by the unveiling of simplified guidelines for both the MLA Local Area Development (MLA-LAD) and Chief Minister’s Special Assistance (CM-SA) schemes.

The event, held just ahead of the State Cabinet meeting, saw the presence of all Cabinet Ministers and senior officials. The new digital platform aims to streamline administrative processes, reduce delays, and ensure timely execution of development projects across constituencies.

Under the revised framework, the time between project recommendation and issuance of work orders has been capped at 30 days, ensuring faster implementation. Legislators can now recommend projects, monitor approvals, track execution, and view expenditure details in real time. Constituents will also have access to project status and data, promoting transparency and accountability.

The MLA-LAD scheme, which began in 1997–98, has evolved into a key instrument for addressing local infrastructure needs. For the 2025–26 fiscal year, the annual allocation per constituency has been increased to ₹5 crore, reflecting the government’s commitment to empowering local representatives.

The simplified guidelines were crafted under the direct supervision of Chief Secretary Manoj Ahuja and Development Commissioner Anu Garg, incorporating feedback from MLAs and best practices from neighboring states. CM Majhi expressed gratitude to all stakeholders involved in the reform process and emphasized the importance of digital governance in accelerating development.

Development Commissioner Garg presented an overview of the portal’s features and the new guidelines, highlighting the platform’s potential to transform constituency-level planning and execution.

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