BHUBANESWAR: With the BJD government would complete two years of its fifth successive term on May 29th, chief minister Naveen Patnaik would start performance review of various departments from May 15th.
The chief minister, in a letter to all his colleagues in the state council of ministers on Saturday, said that he would review implementation of various promises made in the BJD’s election manifesto, during which each minister would apprise the chief minister about five important achievements of their respective departments. The ministers would also inform about steps taken by their department for implementation of pro-people governance initiatives like 5T and Mo Sarkar. The performance review will continue till May 25th.
Naveen’s decision regarding performance review of various departments has triggered speculations of a possible reshuffle in the council of ministers, which will be first rejig in the fifth term. Ministers who are facing various charges and brought embarrassment for the government for poor governance are likely to be axed from Naveen’s team. The chief minister was holding similar performance review meetings in his fourth term.
“In the council of ministers meeting on May 29th, we will present our achievements in fulfilling of various promises to the people. As people are masters in a democracy, accountability is most important in a democracy. The 4.5 crore people have given us the responsibility; we should be accountable to them. It will strengthen value of democracy,” said Naveen in his letter.
Hours after taking oath as chief minister of the state for the fifth time on May 19, 2019, the council of ministers headed by Naveen had approved BJD’s poll manifesto as priority of the state government. Though Naveen on the occasion had promised his government will present before the people about its achievement vis-à-vis promises after completion of one year, it could not be done last year due to Covid-19 pandemic.
“As our government is going to complete two years of fifth term, we have fulfilled a number of promises which shows we believe in work… not in mere words,” said Naveen.
Stating that 4.5 crore people of the state are at the fore front of his government, the chief minister appealed his cabinet colleagues to sincerely work to fulfill all the promises made to the people.
Before the annual performance review, the ministers were asked to hold review at their level in presence of the department secretaries and senior officers.
While the chief minister had started his fifth term with the call of transformation for a new and empowered Odisha, a number of initiatives were taken like launching of 5T and Mo Sarkar, decision to conduct of a survey of backward classes, reservation of seats for government school students in medical and engineering courses and empowering women self-help groups among others.