Industry Odisha Bureau, Jun 8: In a major initiative to strengthen citizen-centric urban governance and deepen public participation in urban development, the Odisha Government is all set to launch a statewide “Saharanchala Janasamparka O Nagarika Bhagidari Karyakrama” (Urban Citizen Outreach and Civic Participation Campaign) across all Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) from June 9 to June 21.
The 13-day campaign, organized by the Housing & Urban Development Department, aims to bring urban governance closer to citizens by creating awareness about civic services, government schemes and citizen responsibilities, while providing a platform for direct engagement between urban residents and local governments.
The programme seeks to foster a culture of participatory governance and strengthen the partnership between citizens and urban institutions in building cleaner, more inclusive and sustainable cities.
Housing & Urban Development Minister Dr. Krushna Chandra Mahapatra said that active citizen participation is essential for the success of urban transformation initiatives.
“The Government of Odisha is committed to creating cities that are not only modern and resilient but also responsive to the needs and aspirations of the people. This statewide outreach campaign will help bridge the gap between citizens and urban institutions, ensuring that government services are more accessible, transparent and accountable,” he said.
Under the leadership of Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, the State is working towards building people-centric cities where every citizen becomes an active partner in development, the Minister said.
The campaign will be implemented across all ULBs through a series of citizen-centric activities, including awareness rallies, ward-level meetings, public consultations, Swachhata drives, community engagement programmes and Information, Education and Communication activities.
Special emphasis will be placed on sanitation, waste management, water conservation, environmental sustainability and civic responsibility.
A key feature of the campaign will be the organization of Citizen Service Delivery Camps and outreach programmes aimed at facilitating access to various municipal services and urban welfare schemes.
Citizens will be able to obtain information and assistance related to property tax, water supply connections, trade licences, building plan approvals, housing schemes and other public services.
Dedicated help desks and grievance redressal mechanisms will also be established to ensure prompt response to citizen concerns.
The programme will further encourage participation from Self Help Groups, Resident Welfare Associations, youth organizations, market associations and community-based institutions, creating a broad-based platform for civic engagement and collaborative urban development.
The campaign calendar has been designed to cover a wide spectrum of urban governance themes, including citizen services, sanitation and waste management, water conservation, environmental sustainability, public health awareness, women’s participation, youth engagement and community-led development.
Through a combination of outreach activities, field-level interactions and public consultations, the programme seeks to foster a stronger sense of civic ownership and encourage citizens to actively contribute to the development and maintenance of vibrant urban communities.
Usha Padhee, Additional Chief Secretary, Housing & Urban Development Department, emphasized that citizen engagement remains the cornerstone of effective urban governance.
The campaign has been designed as a comprehensive platform for meaningful interaction between citizens and urban institutions, she said.
It seeks to enhance public awareness about civic services and government initiatives while encouraging communities to take greater ownership of their urban spaces. Equally important, it will enable ULBs to receive valuable feedback from citizens, helping them improve service delivery and governance outcomes, Padhee said.
The campaign will conclude with citizen feedback sessions and public interactions aimed at capturing local priorities, strengthening community participation and identifying opportunities for improving urban services.
The feedback gathered during the campaign will help Urban Local Bodies adopt more responsive and citizen-focused approaches to governance.
