Bhubaneswar: Ms. Usha Padhee, who is the Principal Secretary of Housing & Urban Development and Commerce & Transport Thursday directed officials of both the departments to work in tandem to usher the vision of Vikasit Odisha. Ms. Padhee convened a joint review meeting with senior officials of the two departments today.
The meeting focused on fostering greater convergence between departmental initiatives in alignment with Chief Minister’s vision of a Viksit Odisha. Among the key areas discussed was the timely disbursement of pensions under various social security schemes—reflecting the government’s unwavering commitment to protecting the dignity and welfare of the elderly and vulnerable. The review also underscored the critical importance of strengthening operations and maintenance (O&M) practices, particularly in urban infrastructure and transport services, to ensure long-term sustainability and uninterrupted service delivery.
The meeting highlighted the role of technology and integrated data systems in enhancing administrative efficiency. Real-time monitoring and data-driven governance were identified as essential tools for boosting transparency, enabling informed decision-making, and improving overall service outcomes across sectors.
Ms. Padhee emphasized the importance of inter-departmental collaboration and outcome-oriented planning in advancing development that is inclusive, resilient, and sustainable. She reiterated that innovation, institutional capacity-building, and meaningful citizen engagement must form the bedrock of a future-ready Odisha.
“The convergence of goals across departments is essential for building an Odisha that is not just developed, but also equitable and efficient. Our focus remains on systems that deliver with speed, empathy, and accountability,” she said.
