Bhubaneswar: In a major push towards rural transformation under the vision of ‘Vikshit Odisha 2036’, the Odisha government on Monday launched two key initiatives — the Model Village Mission and Mahapurusha Adarsha Grama Yojana (MAGY) — aimed at improving infrastructure, basic amenities and livelihoods in villages across the state.
The schemes were formally launched by Rural Development, Panchayati Raj & Drinking Water Minister Rabi Narayan Naik through video conferencing with district administrations.
The Model Village Mission has been designed to strengthen rural infrastructure and provide urban-like amenities in villages while promoting self-sustaining and self-governing communities. The initiative seeks to ensure access to essential public services and community spaces in rural Odisha.
Under the first phase of the mission, the government plans to cover headquarters villages of all 6,733 gram panchayats in the state by 2029. A baseline survey will be conducted to identify infrastructure gaps and assess the availability of essential amenities at the village level.
To facilitate the survey, the minister released a comprehensive survey format prepared in consultation with several departments, including Health & Family Welfare, School & Mass Education, Women & Child Development, Fisheries & Animal Resources Development, and Energy.
With the launch of the survey process, implementation of the Model Village Mission officially began across Odisha. Naik stressed the need for coordinated and time-bound execution to ensure meaningful transformation of rural areas.
For effective implementation and monitoring, the government has constituted a State-Level Task Force headed by Panchayati Raj & Drinking Water Commissioner-cum-Secretary Girish S.N., involving all key stakeholder departments. Similar district-level task forces led by collectors have also been formed.
Alongside the Model Village Mission, the minister also launched the Mahapurusha Adarsha Grama Yojana (MAGY), which aims to promote holistic development in the native gram panchayats of eminent personalities who have contributed significantly to Odisha’s social, cultural, literary and political history.
The scheme will be implemented over three years from 2026–27 to 2028–29 and is expected to cover around 100 to 150 gram panchayats across the state. In its first phase, the programme will be rolled out in 15 gram panchayats linked to 16 prominent personalities across 12 districts.
MAGY will prioritise infrastructure projects such as roads, piped drinking water, healthcare facilities, anganwadi centres, playgrounds, digital connectivity and solar energy systems. The scheme will also support memorial parks and restoration of ancestral houses linked to notable personalities.
Apart from infrastructure, the programme will focus on skill development, digital literacy, social security and livelihood generation to ensure inclusive rural growth.
According to the government, both schemes will be implemented through convergence of various state and central welfare programmes, with committees at state, district and block levels overseeing monitoring and coordination.
Naik said the initiatives would not only accelerate sustainable rural development but also help preserve and honour the legacy of Odisha’s eminent personalities.
