The Odisha government on Monday launched two major rural development schemes, Model Village Mission and Mahapurush Adarsha Gram Yojana, aimed at transforming villages with urban-level amenities and services, as reported by news agency PTI.
Twin Initiatives Rolled Out
The twin initiatives were rolled out by state minister Rabi Narayan Naik during a virtual meeting. The schemes seek to bridge the rural-urban divide and promote inclusive development across the state. The projects aim to strengthen basic infrastructure and improve living standards in villages as part of the Odisha government's broader "Viksit Odisha 2036" vision.
To ensure smooth and timely implementation, the government has also constituted dedicated task forces at both the state and district levels to coordinate and monitor the execution of the two schemes.
Model Village Mission
The Model Village Mission aims to make all 6,733 Gram Panchayat headquarters villages self-sustaining and well-equipped with improved basic amenities, infrastructure and community facilities in the first phase by 2029. "This will not only empower rural areas of the state by providing urban-level amenities, but also transform them into self-sustaining and self-governing engines of prosperity," Naik said to PTI. A baseline survey will be conducted to assess critical gaps in infrastructure and essential amenities at the village level, he added.
Mahapurush Adarsha Gram Yojana
The MAGY scheme will be implemented between 2026-27 to 2028-29. It will focus on holistic development of Gram Panchayats associated with 16 renowned people who have made major contributions to the state's social, cultural, literary and political history across its 12 districts, officials said to PTI. Also, the scheme will prioritise the development of roads, drinking water, healthcare, anganwadi centres, digital connectivity, solar infrastructure, memorial parks, skill development, digital literacy, social security and livelihood generation.
According to Naik, the plan would be carried out by combining several federal and state government initiatives, and committees at the state, district, and block levels would guarantee ongoing oversight, coordination, and monitoring. "The initiative would not only preserve and honor the legacy of eminent personalities of Odisha, but also accelerate inclusive and sustainable development in rural areas," he told PTI.
