BHUBANESWAR, JAN 30: The Odisha government has rolled out new guidelines for the ‘Bikashita Gaon Bikashita Odisha’ (BGBO) initiative to foster sustainable development and inclusive growth in rural areas. This scheme replaces the previous ‘Ama Odisha Nabin Odisha’ (AONO) initiative and comes with a budgetary provision of ₹1,000 crore for 2024-25.
The Panchayati Raj and Drinking Water Department, led by Secretary Girish S N, has issued these guidelines to district collectors. The BGBO scheme focuses on rural infrastructure projects, including roads, bridges, school buildings, civic amenities, and sports facilities. Notably, up to 35% of the funds are allocated for road projects, while 40% are earmarked for blocks under the Integrated Tribal Development Agency (ITDA).
Incomplete projects from the AONO scheme, with at least 20% expenditure incurred, will also be completed under the new initiative. The Gram Sabha is tasked with preparing a need-based five-year perspective plan by February 14, followed by an annual action plan by February 18. These plans will be scrutinized by a technical committee at the block level and recommended to the district collector for final approval by February 20.
A dedicated web-based MIS and mobile app will be developed for real-time project monitoring.
Senior BJD leader Badri Narayan Patra criticized the renaming of the scheme, stating that the same work could have been continued under the previous initiative. Congress MLA Nilamadhab Hikaka echoed this sentiment, accusing both BJD and BJP of making false promises. In response, BJP legislator Saroj Padhi defended the new schemes, alleging corruption in the previous BJD government and emphasizing the BJP’s commitment to rural development.
