Balangir: CM Mohan Charan Majhi on Friday inaugurated and laid foundation stones for several development projects in the district at a public meeting to mark Panchayati Raj Day at Gandhi Stadium here.Addressing the gathering, Majhi underscored the role of the panchayati raj system in strengthening grassroots democracy and highlighted rural welfare schemes rolled out by his govt over the past two years. He also thanked PM Narendra Modi for his special focus on Odisha, citing increased allocations for railways and other sectors to boost development.Rural development, panchayati raj and drinking water minister Rabi Narayan Naik assured the public that efforts were underway to make the district and the state free from distress migration, with the creation of jobs and industries in the coming years to reduce the need for workers to seek employment elsewhere.Police made elaborate arrangements to maintain law and order, detaining several opposition leaders as a precaution during the chief minister’s visit. Senior Congress leader Narasingha Mishra met Majhi to discuss various issues concerning the district. After the programme, the chief minister flew back to Bhubaneswar.Majhi was accompanied by deputy chief minister Kanak Vardhan Singhdeo, health and family welfare minister Mukesh Mahaling, and local MLAs.
