Public Welfare / Top Officials Deployed to Monitor Welfare Schemes in Odisha Districts

Bhubaneswar, Sep 2: In a major accountability drive, the Odisha government has directed 30 secretaries and senior officials to undertake district visits between August and October 2026 to assess the real impact of welfare schemes and public services at the grassroots level.

Officials have been instructed to move beyond departmental reports and conduct on‑ground inspections of hospitals, schools, drinking water projects, and grievance redressal mechanisms.

The initiative aims to ensure that government programmes are not only implemented but are also reaching intended beneficiaries effectively.

Also read: Odisha CM To Embark On 4-Day Visit To UAE From Sept 8 To Attract FDI

During these visits, officers will physically review both financial and infrastructural progress of schemes. Hospitals, PHCs and CHCs will face surprise inspections to check availability of doctors, nurses, medicines, and emergency facilities. Officials will also interact directly with patients and attendants to gauge service quality.

Anganwadi centres, schools and hostels will also come under scrutiny. Services for women and children, nutritional food supply, classroom teaching, student facilities, and hostel management will be examined. In addition, officials will travel to remote areas to engage with local communities and understand their challenges.

Each gram panchayat will be assessed for access to basic amenities and government services. Delays in drinking water projects will be investigated, with reasons reported to relevant departments. Banking services, branch availability, and complaints raised during public hearings will also be reviewed.

According to the government’s allocation list, senior officials have been assigned specific districts. For instance, Principal Secretary of Finance Sanjay Kumar Mishra will oversee Khordha, Fisheries and ARD Principal Secretary Pranab Kumar Jena will visit Gajapati, SSEPD Principal Secretary Suresh Kumar Vashistha will inspect Kendrapada, and Water Resources Principal Secretary Shubha Sharma will monitor Puri.

Mission Shakti Commissioner‑cum‑Secretary Nivedita Mohanty has been tasked with Ganjam. Other districts include Balangir, Baragada, Dhenkanal, Kandhamal, Kendujhar, Koraput, Malkangiri, Mayurbhanj, Nabarangpur, Nayagada, Nuapada, Rayagada, Sambalpur and Sundargada.

The inspections will cover 29 flagship schemes such as Biju Swasthya Kalyan Yojana, Ayushman Bharat‑PMJAY, Antyodaya Housing, PMAY, piped water supply, Setu Bandhan, Subhadra Yojana, Odisha Adarsha Vidyalaya, PM Shri schools, Poshan Abhiyan, ICDS, PM Janman, Madhubabu Pension, Public Distribution System, and National Social Assistance Programme.

Officials must visit their assigned districts at least once every three months, with each visit lasting a minimum of two days. After inspections, they are required to submit detailed reports and recommendations through a designated portal.