Odisha CM Majhi marks 2 years: farmer suicide prevention, grievance cell top wins
Synopsis
Two years into office, Odisha CM Mohan Charan Majhi is spotlighting farmer suicide prevention and a revived grievance cell as his government's defining wins — while flagging youth unemployment and El Niño-linked disasters as the battles still ahead. With border disputes, a water-sharing row, and an ISKCON controversy all live, the BJP government's third year looks more complex than its second.
Key Takeaways
Odisha CM Mohan Charan Majhi marked two years of the BJP government on 12 June 2025 at a press conference in Bhubaneswar .
He cited the revival of the CM Grievance Cell and prevention of farmers' suicides as the government's two biggest achievements.
Schemes including Samruddha Krushak Yojana , PM-Kisan Samman Nidhi , and CM-Kisan were credited for improving agricultural livelihoods.
A task force for the North Odisha Development Council has been formed with an allocation of ₹200 crore ; new skill centres to come up in Sambalpur and Berhampur .
The Kotia border dispute with Andhra Pradesh remains sub judice; an ADM-level officer will be permanently stationed in the area.
Majhi said youth employment and El Niño -linked natural disasters are the two biggest challenges facing his government going forward.
Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Thursday, 12 June 2025, identified the revival of the Chief Minister's Grievance Cell and the prevention of farmers' suicides as the two most significant achievements of his government's first two years in office. Speaking at a press conference in Bhubaneswar marking the second anniversary of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government in Odisha, Majhi outlined a wide range of policy interventions, pending challenges, and forward priorities.
Farmer-Centric Interventions at the Core
The Chief Minister credited schemes such as the Samruddha Krushak Yojana — which provides additional input assistance to farmers over and above the minimum support price (MSP) for paddy produce — along with financial support under the PM-Kisan Samman Nidhi and the CM-Kisan scheme for strengthening agricultural livelihoods and preventing distress-driven suicides. Majhi said regular hearings at the CM Grievance Cell have enabled the resolution of a range of public complaints, restoring a direct channel between citizens and the administration.
Key Challenges Ahead
Majhi acknowledged that his administration faces two pressing challenges going forward: generating adequate employment for the state's youth and managing the escalating threat of natural disasters, including those linked to El Niño. He said his government has adopted a zero-tolerance policy on corruption, and in the context of chit fund scams, has initiated the auction of accused persons' properties with the aim of returning funds to genuine depositors who can produce valid receipts.
Regional Development and Pending Disputes
On the question of balanced regional growth, Majhi said a task force has been constituted for the North Odisha Development Council with an allocation of ₹200 crore. Development work is ongoing under the Western Odisha Development Council (WODC), though he admitted that the proposed WODC headquarters in Sambalpur has been delayed due to competing demands from multiple districts. New skill development centres are to be established in Sambalpur and Berhampur.
On the long-standing Kotia border dispute with Andhra Pradesh, Majhi said the matter remains sub judice but that senior ministers and the Deputy Chief Minister have visited the region. An Additional District Magistrate-level officer will be permanently posted there to oversee development and administration.
Regarding the Mahanadi water-sharing dispute with Chhattisgarh, Majhi disclosed that he had personally discussed the issue with the Chhattisgarh Chief Minister and the state's Water Resources Minister, both of whom have reportedly expressed willingness to reach an early resolution.
ISKCON Rath Yatra Row and Social Security
Responding to questions about the untimely organisation of the Rath Yatra by ISKCON, Majhi said the rituals of Lord Jagannath are of supreme sanctity and brook no compromise. He assured that the government has taken the matter seriously and will act in the interest of 4.5 crore people of Odisha. The Chief Minister also reiterated his government's commitment to social security, noting that senior citizens across the state are receiving monthly pensions.
As the BJP government in Odisha enters its third year, the administration's ability to translate announced schemes into measurable outcomes — particularly on jobs and disaster preparedness — will determine whether this anniversary narrative holds.
Point of View
But linking them causally to a suicide-prevention outcome, without citing baseline data or third-party audit, risks conflating intent with impact. Meanwhile, the Kotia and Mahanadi disputes are structural issues that pre-date this government; the fact that they remain unresolved after two years is as notable as the diplomatic outreach Majhi described. The ISKCON Rath Yatra controversy, handled with a single reassurance line, deserves closer scrutiny — Lord Jagannath's rituals carry deep political weight in Odisha, and any perception of institutional mismanagement could have outsized electoral consequences.
NationPress
8 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What are Odisha CM Mohan Charan Majhi's two biggest achievements after two years in office?
Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi identified the revival of the CM Grievance Cell and the prevention of farmers' suicides as his government's two most significant achievements. He attributed the latter to schemes such as Samruddha Krushak Yojana, PM-Kisan Samman Nidhi, and the CM-Kisan scheme.
What is the Samruddha Krushak Yojana?
The Samruddha Krushak Yojana is an Odisha state scheme that provides additional input assistance to farmers over and above the minimum support price (MSP) for their paddy produce. It is part of a broader set of farmer-centric interventions the BJP government credits for improving agricultural livelihoods.
What is the status of the Kotia border dispute between Odisha and Andhra Pradesh?
The Kotia border dispute remains sub judice as of June 2025. The Odisha government says it is actively monitoring the situation, with senior ministers and the Deputy Chief Minister having visited the area, and an ADM-level officer set to be permanently stationed there.
What are the two main challenges Majhi has identified for his government going forward?
Majhi cited generating sufficient employment for Odisha's youth and countering the growing threat of natural disasters — including those linked to El Niño — as the two biggest challenges his administration faces in its next phase.
What did Odisha CM Majhi say about the ISKCON Rath Yatra controversy?
Majhi said the rituals of Lord Jagannath are of supreme sanctity and brook no compromise. He assured that the government has taken the matter seriously and will take all necessary steps to address the concerns of 4.5 crore people of Odisha.
