Comprehensive Review of PR&DW Department Undertaken by Hon’ble Minister Shri Rabi Narayan Naik

Bhubaneswar, 06 December 2025:A high-level comprehensive review meeting of the Panchayati Raj & Drinking Water Department was held today under the Chairmanship of Hon’ble Minister Shri Rabi Narayan Naik in his office chamber at Lok Seva Bhawan, Bhubaneswar.

The Hon’ble Minister reviewed the implementation of MGNREGA with special focus on the prevention of seasonal migration through the effective provision of an additional 200 days of employment supported by the State Government. He emphasised timely wage payment, creation of quality rural infrastructure, and the continued State support of additional Rs. 98 per labourer per day for the first 100 days and Rs 371 for an additional 200 days for sustainable livelihood enhancement.
Reviewing the Labour Card enrolment and benefit disbursal, the Hon’ble Minister directed for ensuring that all eligible labourers are issued labour cards and all admissible benefits are extended to them in a timely and transparent manner

The meeting also assessed the progress of drinking water supply infrastructure across the State, including the 207 Mega Drinking Water Projects and other ongoing initiatives. Hon’ble Minister instructed to expedite work execution to ensure safe and adequate drinking water to all rural households by March 2027. The implementation status of PESA in the State was reviewed. It was informed that views from various departments have been received, and the draft Rules will be placed before the Tribal Advisory Committee in its upcoming meeting for kind perusal
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Taking stock of the progress under “Bikashita Gaon Bikashita Odisha (BGBO)”, the Hon’ble Minister stressed effective monitoring for the timely completion of projects aimed at comprehensive rural development.
Under Antyodaya Gruha Yojana, 1.68 lakh houses have already been provided to eligible beneficiaries. The Hon’ble Minister emphasised strict monitoring of construction quality and directed proper identification of remaining beneficiaries so that every deserving household receives the benefits, thereby fulfilling the Antyodaya principle of ensuring development reaches the last mile.

The vacancy position in the Department was also reviewed. Hon’ble Minister advised for a detailed manpower assessment and to process proposals for filling up existing vacancies. He instructed the officials and the recruiting agencies to follow up on the legal matters with the government advocates for the hearing of the cases pending before the Hon’ble High Court. It was also instructed that, where necessary, the creation of new posts may also be proposed to strengthen the Department.
The meeting was attended by Commissioner-cum-Secretary Shri S.N. Girish, Director (Drinking Water & Sanitation) Shri Vineet Bharadwaj, Director (Special Projects) Shri Siddarth Shankar Swain, Director-SIRD Smt Madhumita Samal, and other senior officers of the Department.