Bhubaneswar: Secretaries and senior officials of various government departments in Odisha have been asked to make monthly field visits to monitor the implementation of welfare schemes at the grassroots.

Development Commissioner Anu Garg has sent a letter in this regard to various departments.

As per the letter, senior officials have been asked to make field visits in the third week of every month.

The state government has introduced several measures for development of education, healthcare, irrigation, agriculture, skill development, industrial and other sectors in Odisha. The measures have been introduced to ensure inclusive growth in all sectors through human development, creation of physical and social infrastructure and provision of social safety nets for the weaker sections, said the Development Commissioner in her letter to all Additional Chief Secretaries, Principal Secretaries, Commissioner-cum-Secretaries and all Special Secretaries to various government departments.

“It is imperative that all Secretaries and senior officers whether they have been allotted a particular district or not should make extensive field visits and night halts in remote and rural areas for effective monitoring and review of welfare schemes. This will not only make the administration people-friendly but also help obtain citizens’ feedback on the efficacy of schemes and programmes,” read the letter.

After careful consideration of these factors, the state government has decided not to hold any review meeting in the Secretariat during the third week of every month, except in case of emergencies, so that the Secretaries and senior officers can plan in advance and undertake their field tours, she said.

“All Secretaries are therefore advised not to schedule any meetings in the third week of the month from April, 2023 for facilitating maximum field visits during the period,” said the Development Commissioner.