Focus on Water Conservation, Agriculture and Rural Development
Jharsuguda: A Panchayat-level Coordination Fair was organised at the Kulihamal playground in Kolabira block of Jharsuguda district on Friday under the direct supervision of SEWA, with support from Gram Vikas. The event was organised by the Kulihamal Panchayat Coordination Committee to identify local issues and facilitate their resolution through coordination among various government departments.
Presiding over the meeting, SEWA secretary Sushil Kumar Dash explained the aims and objectives of the fair. He said that a survey had been conducted across all villages under Kulihamal gram panchayat over the past eight months to identify the needs and problems of local residents, with the primary objective of developing a water-secure gram panchayat.
Officials from various block- and district-level departments were invited to the fair. The problems identified during the survey were presented for consideration by the concerned departmental authorities, with an emphasis on coordinated efforts to find solutions. Dash expressed hope that the initiative would help conserve groundwater, improve agricultural activities and address drinking water-related problems in the area.
Representatives of villages including Pandakimal, Kusumdehi, Rajamal, Kulihamal, Dhubenbud, Jamchuan, Gangadihi, Bhoipada and Sunamuhan presented various local issues before the gathering. Among those who raised concerns were GPCC members Rabiratna Bhoi, Urvashi Bhoi, Jagadish Kisan, Aruna Bag, Gita Pradhan, Kalyani Naik, Hemakanti Masanta, Kishore Banchhor, Bansidhar Bhoi, Santosh Kisan, Somanath Kisan, Hirabati Kuanr, Pratibha Kuanr, Sahita Kisan, Pushpabati Bag and Mahendra Bag.
The dignitaries present included Madhusmita Patnaik of Gram Vikas, Additional District Agriculture Officer of Kolabira Shubhashree Padhi, Block Agriculture Officer Veronica Tirkey, SEWA president Sukanta Kumar Patel and Kulihamal sarpanch Binodini Patel. They briefed the participants on various schemes and programmes implemented by their respective departments.
SEWA finance officer Srikant Koudi conducted the proceedings, while the organisation’s general manager, Sangeeta Dash, proposed the vote of thanks.
More than 1,000 people from Kulihamal panchayat attended the fair, along with officials from various block- and district-level departments. Members and staff of SEWA extended their cooperation in organising the programme.
