Bhubaneswar, Jul 2: Odisha Panchayati Raj and Drinking Water Minister Rabi Narayan Naik has reiterated the state government’s commitment to accelerating rural development and ensuring timely delivery of essential services, following a key meeting with Union Jal Shakti Minister C.R. Patil.

Speaking to the media after the meeting, Minister Naik emphasized that the Odisha government will responsibly implement all centrally sponsored schemes aimed at uplifting the rural poor. “The Centre has launched several welfare initiatives for rural India, and we are committed to executing them with full accountability,” he said.

The discussion covered a wide range of issues, including drinking water supply, rural housing, and infrastructure development. Naik assured that all pending projects will be expedited through improved coordination between the Centre and the state. “Our goal is to provide safe drinking water to every household within the stipulated timeframe,” he added.

Highlighting the proactive steps taken by the new state government, the Panchayati Raj Minister revealed that a comprehensive list of beneficiaries for housing and road projects has already been prepared. “Unlike the previous administration, which failed to maintain a proper list under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana, we have identified over 37 lakh eligible beneficiaries,” he stated.

The Minister also stressed the importance of transparency and timely execution in the MGNREGS sector. “Funds have already been released by the Centre. With the double-engine government in place, we are confident of turning the dreams of the poor into reality,” he concluded.

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