The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government in Odisha, led by Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, marked its first year in office on June 12, 2025. This milestone is significant as it is the first time the BJP has formed the state government independently. The administration commenced its tenure with swift action and a strong commitment to people-centric governance, fulfilling key promises made during the 2024 elections. In its first year, the Mohan Majhi government has successfully delivered on several important commitments outlined in its Sankalp Patra and is actively working towards additional goals.
Fulfilling Key Manifesto Promises
During the 2024 Assembly elections, the BJP campaigned on issues such as Odisha’s identity (Asmita), mismanagement of the Shree Jagannath Temple, systemic corruption, crimes against women, farmers’ grievances, and unemployment-led youth migration. The people of Odisha responded by voting out the 24-year-old Biju Janata Dal (BJD) government and handing power to the BJP.
From day one, CM Mohan Majhi demonstrated intent. Just 30 minutes after the swearing-in ceremony on June 12, 2024, the new cabinet convened its first meeting and announced four major decisions:
1. Reopening all four gates of the Jagannath Temple.
2. Launch of the Subhadra Yojana for women’s empowerment.
3. Establishing a ₹500 crore corpus for Jagannath Temple development.
4. Granting an ₹800 per quintal input subsidy for paddy farmers.
These measures immediately signaled a break from the previous administration’s approach, setting the tone for active and responsive governance.
Ratna Bhandar Reopened After 46 Years
One of the BJP’s landmark achievements is the reopening of the Ratna Bhandar (treasury) of the Jagannath Temple in Puri after 46 years. On July 14, 2024, the chamber was unlocked for structural assessments, repairs, and inventory checks—a promise fulfilled by the BJP government.
The restoration project, overseen by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), began on December 17, 2024, and is expected to conclude by July 8, 2025, coinciding with the Neeladri Bije festival. Complications arose due to mismatched duplicate keys, prompting a formal inquiry into the disappearance of the original keys.
The Majhi government also set up a dedicated ₹500 crore fund to support long-term temple restoration and preservation.
Reopening of Four Temple Gates Restores Devotional Access
Another milestone was achieved on 13 June 2024, when the state government reopened all four gates of the Jagannath Temple—Singha Dwara, Ashwa Dwara, Vyaghra Dwara, and Hasti Dwara. These gates had remained closed since the COVID-19 pandemic, restricting access and affecting daily rituals.
The decision, taken during the very first cabinet meeting of the Majhi administration on 12 June 2024, was widely welcomed by devotees. The Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA) implemented enhanced crowd control measures, including barricades, SOPs, and improved infrastructure, ensuring a smooth and secure experience for pilgrims.
This initiative not only fulfilled a major electoral promise but also reaffirmed the government’s commitment to upholding Odisha’s spiritual and cultural traditions.
Rehabilitation of Demolished Mutts Begins in Puri
In a major move to restore cultural and religious heritage, the Odisha Government has commenced the rehabilitation of 19 historic mutts that were demolished during the execution of the Srimandir Parikrama Project under the previous regime. These revered institutions, deeply embedded in Puri’s spiritual fabric, will be reconstructed at a unified and strategically chosen location.
Law Minister Prithviraj Harichandan confirmed that an encroachment-free site has been identified for the new complex. The relocation will facilitate smooth access for devotees while preserving the religious and cultural sanctity of the Srimandir surroundings.
By proactively addressing the concerns of devotees and heritage advocates, the BJP government has reaffirmed its commitment to safeguarding Odisha’s religious legacy and ensuring respectful continuity of its age-old traditions.
Notable Decline in Crime Against Women and Children in Odisha
The Odisha government, led by Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, has reported a significant decline in crimes against women and children since coming to power in June 2024. Emphasizing a zero-tolerance policy, the government has prioritized strict legal action against offenders and ensured timely justice for victims.
Speaking in the Odisha Assembly, CM Majhi—who also holds the Home portfolio—highlighted the results of this approach. According to official data, cases of misbehaviour towards women have declined by 3.9%, sexual harassment by 13.5%, public disrobing by 22.3%, trafficking by 29.4%, and eve-teasing by 3.8%. The state also recorded a 20.1% reduction in dowry-related deaths and a 4.6% drop in dowry harassment cases.
“Since our government assumed office, crimes against women and children have come down significantly compared to the same period last year,” the Chief Minister stated, reaffirming the administration’s commitment to safety, justice, and accountability.
Maoist Influence Shrinks to Seven Districts
Aligning with the Centre’s national strategy to eradicate Red terrorism by March 31, 2026, the Odisha Government has intensified its anti-Maoist operations. Since assuming office, the Majhi administration has worked in coordination with central forces to dismantle Maoist networks and restore normalcy in previously affected regions.
The results are evident. Maoist influence, once spread across 21 districts, is now confined to just 7. The decline is credited to continuous combing operations, development programs in vulnerable areas, and active community engagement.
Empowering Women Through ‘Subhadra Yojana’
The Subhadra Yojana has become a pivotal element in the BJP’s electoral strategy, emerging as a flagship welfare scheme. Aimed at over 1 crore women aged 21 to 60, the scheme offers a direct cash transfer of ₹50,000 over five years. Named after Goddess Subhadra, it has significantly influenced a considerable number of women voters to support the BJP.
With a commitment of ₹55,825 crore over five years, the Subhadra Yojana is the largest welfare programme in the state. For the 2025-26 state budget, ₹10,145 crore has been allocated to the scheme. Additionally, the government has introduced ‘Subhadra Plus’, an umbrella initiative encompassing programmes such as Kishori Subhadra and Subhadra Surakhya, aimed at enhancing safety, health, and economic empowerment for women.
Fulfilling Farmers’ Demands: ₹800 Paddy Bonus
In response to a longstanding demand from the farming community, the Majhi government has approved an input subsidy of ₹800 per quintal of paddy, in addition to the minimum support price. This initiative fulfils a significant election promise aimed at improving farmers’ incomes.
By the end of last month, the government had disbursed ₹5,900 crore in bonus payments to approximately 16.6 lakh farmers who sold their paddy to the government during the 2024-25 Kharif marketing season.
Zero Tolerance Towards Corruption
Under Chief Minister Shri Mohan Charan Majhi, the Odisha Government has actively pursued its 2024 election manifesto promise of implementing a zero-tolerance policy towards corruption. Since taking office in June 2024, the administration has initiated various measures to combat corruption and promote transparent governance. Key initiatives include:
The government registered 71 corruption cases and arrested 58 officials, including 17 Class I and 7 Class II officers. By March 2025, 159 officials had been dismissed or forced into retirement due to corruption charges.
“Our fight against corruption has commenced with full force. We are dedicated to ensuring that every government programme is free from irregularities and effectively reaches the common man,” the Chief Minister stated.
Massive Investment Push Under ‘Utkarsh Odisha’
After assuming office, the Mohan Majhi-led Odisha government unveiled an ambitious plan to recruit 150,000 personnel across various departments over the next five years. In the first year of this initiative, 28,000 vacancies have already been filled through a transparent, merit-based process. An additional 40,000 government jobs are slated for recruitment in the current financial year, reflecting the administration’s commitment to generating employment and strengthening governance.
At the same time, under the flagship ‘Utkarsh Odisha’ initiative, the state has attracted investment intents worth ₹17 lakh crore, with ₹13 lakh crore already formalised through Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs). These investments encompass key sectors such as steel, green energy, information technology, food processing, and textiles, positioning Odisha as an emerging industrial and economic powerhouse in eastern India.
CM Mohan Majhi Breaks the Barrier Between Government and People
Since taking office, Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi has ushered in a transformative shift in the state’s governance model by re-establishing a direct connection between the government and its citizens. Political analysts and the public alike are acknowledging this change as one of the most visible differences from the previous BJD administration.
Unlike his predecessor Naveen Patnaik—who ceased attending the Chief Minister’s grievance cell in 2008—CM Majhi has made citizen engagement a core component of his leadership. Every Monday, the Chief Minister, accompanied by senior ministers and top bureaucrats, personally attends public grievance redressal camps to listen to and address appeals from ordinary citizens, including persons with disabilities, senior citizens, and individuals in urgent need.
“These interactions are not confined to the state capital,” a senior official stated. “The Chief Minister has taken these grievance hearings to different regions of Odisha to ensure inclusivity and accessibility.” In April, a session was held in Sambalpur, a major district in western Odisha, and CM Majhi announced that the next outreach event would take place in Berhampur, a key city in the southern region.
So far, Majhi has attended 10 such grievance hearings, during which a total of 10,234 petitions were submitted. Of these, 8,524—approximately 83 percent—have already been resolved, reflecting the administration’s prompt and results-driven governance.
Commenting on the shift in approach, CM Majhi stated, “In the past, a huge wall existed between the Chief Minister’s Office and the common people. I am happy that our government has broken that wall.”
This renewed emphasis on public engagement marks a fundamental realignment in Odisha’s governance, setting a new precedent for accountability, transparency, and responsiveness.
Dignity and Role of Elected Representatives Restored in Odisha
A notable shift in Odisha’s political landscape under the BJP-led government has been the restoration of dignity and decision-making authority to elected representatives. Political analysts point out a sharp contrast from the previous BJD regime, where ministers, MLAs, and MPs were often sidelined and bureaucrats reportedly wielded disproportionate influence over governance.
Under the leadership of Chief Minister Mohan Majhi, the BJP government has reasserted the importance of public representatives in the democratic process. Ministers now enjoy greater autonomy and are more visible in both administrative functions and public engagement.
Highlighting this transformation, State BJP spokesperson Anil Biswal remarked, “In the previous government, it was not uncommon to see ministers and MLAs arranging tents and chairs for an IAS officers’ meetings—an unfortunate reflection of how elected officials were treated. The BJP government has rightly reinstated the dignity and constitutional role of public representatives.”
In its first year in office, the BJP government has made substantial progress in fulfilling key electoral promises, with ongoing efforts to deliver on remaining commitments. Senior BJP leader Sajjan Sharma affirmed the government’s focus on accountability, stating, “This is a government of commitment—dedicated to implementing the promises made to the people of Odisha.”
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