Don’t mistake my simplicity for weakness, I can take tough decisions if required: Odisha CM to Officers
Bhubaneswar: Don’t mistake my simplicity for weakness and I can take tough decisions if required, warned Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi to the Development Officers on Thursday.
While addressing a state-level conference of Chief Development Officers (CDOs) and Block Development Officers (BDOs) here today, the CM said, “It is already 11 months that we have formed the government. It is evident that you were working as per the old format in the first two or three months of our government. The old format means, the previous government’s principles, responsibilities and mind-set like the BJD government had told us (you) to work for the people of conch party, branded.”
“Do not think that I don’t know how things happen at the grass root level. I have not come from a big or well-off family and become the Chief Minister rather I have become the Chief Minister from a simple sarapanch. I know it very well what happens at panchayats and blocks. As an MLA also I know many things and I am not going to forget the past things after becoming the Chief Minister. I remember things as everything is saved in my brain. At a time, even the BDOs misbehave with us. With some BDOs I have tussle while with some I am very friendly,” he added.
The CM further said, “This government has given ample freedom to you all. None should work under any one’s pressure. Work impartially to provide service to the public. But if you continue with the old habits, like if stop video conference while the CM is speaking and ask people to leave, who will forgive you? No one will forgive, neither will I.”
“I am an ordinary person, who has come from the grassroot level and that too from the tribal community. I have a lot of simplicity but you should not consider my simplicity as my weakness. I also can take tough decisions if required,” Majhi warned.
The Chief Minister also directed the Panchayati Raj & Drinking Water Department not to use machines in MGNREGA work with the aim to ensure employment reaches the rural poor and prevents distress migration.
He also highlighted irregularities in the system saying that machines are used in the MGNREGA works but the muster rolls feature fabricated beneficiaries names like ‘Ram’ or ‘Dam.’ Even in some cases, college lecturers and doctors have been listed as beneficiaries. “This is a clear fraud which must stop immediately,” he directed.
