Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi marked Good Governance Day on Thursday by unveiling a suite of digital initiatives aimed at enhancing public service delivery and administrative efficiency. The event, which also commemorated the birth anniversary of former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, saw the launch of key technological tools designed to bring governance closer to the people.
Honouring Vajpayee's Legacy in Odisha
In his address, Chief Minister Majhi paid rich tributes to Atal Bihari Vajpayee, highlighting the late PM's profound connection with the state. Majhi credited Vajpayee's decisive role in establishing AIIMS-Bhubaneswar, a landmark institution for healthcare in the region.
He recounted Vajpayee's unwavering support during the devastating 1999 super cyclone, calling him a "friend of Odisha" and the hero behind the massive rescue, relief, and reconstruction efforts. The Chief Minister also listed several mega projects that bear Vajpayee's signature vision, including the East Coast Railway headquarters, the Paradip Oil Refinery, and the Paradip-Haridaspur railway line.
"He never accepted politics as a profession," Majhi reflected. "He dedicated himself to social life by accepting public service and national service as his dharma." The day began with floral tributes at Vajpayee's statue on the AIIMS-Bhubaneswar premises, followed by the inauguration of a photo exhibition.
Digital Leap for Public Service
The core of the event was the launch of three significant digital governance tools. The CM Dashboard is designed for real-time monitoring of various government projects and schemes, providing the administration with live data for better decision-making.
Secondly, the government announced the expansion of the OSWAS (Odisha Secretariat Workflow Automation System) to the district and block levels. This move is expected to make government operations paperless across all tiers of administration, promoting transparency and speed.
Perhaps the most citizen-centric initiative is the 'Ama Sathi Unified WhatsApp Chatbot'. This service will provide citizens with access to over 150 essential government services directly through the popular messaging platform. The chatbot is specifically dedicated to delivering quality healthcare and water supply data to the public.
Statewide Observances and Calls for Participation
Good Governance Day was observed across Odisha. In Sambalpur, Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan addressed a gathering at Atal Udyan in Burla. He emphasized that good governance is not solely the government's responsibility but requires active societal participation.
Pradhan also made a novel suggestion, proposing that the practice of offering flower bouquets to dignitaries be replaced with fruit baskets. He recommended that these fruits be subsequently distributed among children in Anganwadi centres and government schools, promoting a culture of utility over ceremony.
The event in Sambalpur included a mass run and floral tributes at Vajpayee's statue. Across the state, dignitaries including Odisha Governor Haribabu Kambhampati and Leader of Opposition Naveen Patnaik paid their respects to the former Prime Minister's memory.
Chief Minister Majhi concluded that the newly launched digital tools would significantly strengthen the system of good governance in Odisha, making it more responsive, accessible, and efficient for every citizen.
