Bhubaneswar, Odisha : Politics in Odisha will witness an intense October. The State Government and the Opposition Biju Janata Dal (BJD) will launch parallel mass campaigns. Each will have competing narratives. Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi will launch the second phase of the Nissha-Mukti Abhiyan. It aims to curb liquor, drugs, and substance abuse across the state. The campaign will run for a month. It will have extensive participation from Self Help Groups (SHGs), government departments, and social organizations.
Simultaneously, Opposition BJD will organize a statewide Padayatra. This is to highlight what it terms the “failures of the present government” during its 15-month tenure. It will start on October 9. The campaign will continue till November 9.
The Chief Minister’s campaign aims to make villages addiction-free. It also seeks to transform the capital city into a drug-free hub. Women’s Self Help Groups will play a frontline role in the campaign. To escalate the drive, the state government has written to several departments to organize the campaign. The Excise Department has written to the Departments of Commerce and Transport, School and Mass Education, Mission Shakti, Health and Family Welfare, Higher Education, Panchayati Raj and Drinking Water, SSEPD, and Sports and Youth Services. It has assigned responsibilities to all departments.
The Health & Family Welfare Department will organize health camps, workshops, and de-addiction support drives. Social Security & Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (SSEPD) will collaborate with NGOs to run awareness programs at various de-addiction centers. The Sports & Youth Services Department will host mass “Run for Addiction-Free Odisha” events. The School & Mass Education and Higher Education Departments will conduct online essay and debate competitions among school and college students through video clippings. The Forest Department will launch a separate drive. They aim to destroy illegal cannabis plantations across forest areas.
The government will reward districts that achieve “ganja-free forests” and will present special awards to three field officers. Commerce & Transport, Panchayati Raj & Drinking Water, Mission Shakti, Food & Supplies, and other departments must actively support and align with the campaign.
On the other hand, BJD plans to start a full-month Padayatra from October 9. This will coincide with the birth anniversary of Utkalmani Gopabandhu Das. Authorities usually flag off the Padayatra on Gandhi Jayanti (October 2) every year. However, this year they shifted it to October 9 because the Durga Puja festival falls in early October.
In addition, Conch Paty said that the Padayatra aims to expose the failures of the state government. It will also showcase the development works and welfare measures implemented during the Naveen era. Moreover, all frontal organizations of the BJD, including women, youth, students, farmers, and minority wings, will actively participate in the Padayatra. As a result, the campaign will draw massive public attention across the state.
