Bhubaneswar, Jan 22 (IANS) Chief Secretary of Odisha Anu Garg on Thursday advised district collectors to develop each district as an economic hub and a growth engine for underdeveloped areas.

According to an official statement, during a high-level virtual meeting, Garg urged the district collectors to ensure the smooth conduct of routine administrative work in their respective districts.

She emphasised close monitoring of the progress of major developmental projects being implemented in their districts.

The Chief Secretary directed the collectors to focus on transforming their districts into economic growth zones and engines of development, keeping the vision of “Odisha Vision” in mind.

She further instructed them to monitor the effective implementation of various schemes and programmes and to identify the top 25 projects in each district for regular review.

Garg also stressed the need for strict monitoring of major drinking water projects and advised departmental secretaries to prioritise these projects during district visits. Field-level officers were directed to extend all necessary facilitation and support for industrial development initiatives in their districts.

The district collectors were also advised to conduct monthly reviews of health department programmes, implement measures to reduce infant and maternal mortality, and regularly assess healthcare services in district hospitals.

Development Commissioner-cum-Additional Chief Secretary Deoranjan Kumar Singh, who also attended the meeting, informed that monthly meetings with district collectors will be held on the 16th of every month; if the 16th falls on a Monday or holiday, the meeting will take place on the following day, the 17th. The Development Commissioner also discussed the management of District Mineral Foundation (DMF) funds.

In the presence of Additional Chief Secretary Chitra Arumugam, discussions were held on the progress of District Science Centres and Planetarium projects, as well as welfare measures for construction workers.

The meeting also deliberated on the implementation of various development and social welfare projects across the state.

–IANS

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