Governor Slams Odisha Officials Over Poor Scheme Awareness

Bhubaneswar: Odisha Governor Hari Babu Kambhampati on Monday delivered a scathing critique of the State Government’s administrative machinery, expressing disappointment over the lack of awareness about welfare schemes among officials and the general public.

Speaking at a programme held at Raj Bhavan, the Governor said he was alarmed by the widespread ignorance regarding key government initiatives, even among educated and elite sections of society. Drawing from his observations during district-level reviews, he stated that many government officials themselves were unfamiliar with several central and state welfare programmes.

“Nearly 95% of Odisha’s population is unaware of various government schemes,” the Governor said, calling the situation deeply concerning. He highlighted schemes such as the Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Suraksha Yojana, Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana, and the Atal Pension Yojana as examples of initiatives that remain underutilized due to poor outreach.

He stressed the urgent need for improved dissemination and communication so that the intended beneficiaries can actually access the support available to them.

Reacting to the Governor’s remarks, Odisha Pradesh Congress Committee (OPCC) President Bhakta Das urged the State Government to take the criticism seriously. He also targeted the Centre, stating that Prime Minister Narendra Modi should have used his recent visit to Odisha to convene a high-level meeting on urgent issues such as cholera outbreaks and increasing crimes against women.

“Unfortunately, the PM’s visit was nothing more than an eyewash, with no tangible outcomes,” Das said, accusing both state and central authorities of neglecting ground realities.

The Governor’s rare public rebuke has triggered discussions across political circles, with growing calls for better accountability and more robust grassroots awareness campaigns.