Mon Dec 02 18:42:16 UTC 2024: ## Odisha Govt. Forms Task Force for Southern Development Council
**Bhubaneswar, Dec 3, 2024** – The Odisha government has announced the formation of a task force to establish the South Odisha Vikas Parishad (Southern Odisha Development Council), aimed at boosting development in the state’s southern region. This follows the recent creation of a similar council for Northern Odisha.
The new task force, chaired by School and Mass Education Minister Nityanand Gond, will advise on the council’s structure, coverage area (districts and blocks), and operational methods. The group, which includes ministers, opposition leaders, and MPs, is expected to submit its report within 30 days.
The move carries political weight, reflecting decades of regional demands for targeted development funding. While western Odisha has historically received special funds to address regional imbalances, other regions are now seeking similar attention. The council is intended to ensure inclusive growth across all sections of southern Odisha’s society.
First Piper 