• With the panchayat elections scheduled in early March, your department is taking the lead in organising programmes such as women’s convention in Bhubaneswar. It is being alleged that money from public exchequer is being utilised for political purpose.

Opposition members have felt the impact of women empowerment. We had organised convention at 314 blocks and in all the 30 districts. Later, we had organised a state-level meet making them aware of their rights and government’s welfare programmes for them. What is wrong in it? The government is for the people, by the people and of the people. 

• Opposition smells politics in the way your department organised a human chain. 

The chain was organised to commemorate the birth centenary of former chief minister Biju Patnaik, who made a lot of contribution for the state’s growth as well as the development of the three-tier panchayati raj system. The human chain also highlighted the 80th year of formation of the state. No one should see politics in it. 

• The panchayati raj department came into focus with Biju Patnaik providing 33 per cent reservation to women. Later, his son Naveen increased the quota to 50 per cent. Do you think reservation is the only way to empower women?

This is the first step towards empowerment. We have to bring them to power sharing. If we don’t bring them to the mainstream politics, how can it be possible to make them a part of power sharing, Only by giving them their due share of power, we can bring development in the society.

• If it is so, why is BJD not giving 33 per cent reservation to women, while distributing tickets to its candidates for fighting the Assembly and Lok Sabha elections? 

Personally, I welcome reservation for women. It’s a good thing. Parliament has been deliberating on the issue for some years, trying to accord reservation to women. Let the Parliament first bring an amendment on this issue, we will support it. There is no problem. Our party has already made its announcement to this effect.

• You are heading the panchayati raj department. What is your vision for the department?

This department stands on two pillars — development of infrastructure in villages and enhancement of livelihood. 
If we are able to do these, there will be peace and development.  In fact, this is my vision and goal that I have set for 
myself.

• A controversy has already erupted over Biju Pucca Ghar Yojana. The government data on the issue mismatches. What do you have to say? 

We have constructed 10 lakh rural houses that include Indira Awas Yojana and Biju Pucca Ghar Yojana. The beneficiaries have been chosen with utmost care and the work order has been given with the approval of the palli sabha. 

• The state government has announced that every revenue village with 1,000 people will be made a panchayat as part of reorganisation. But there has been no progress so far.

We have announced that the number of panchayats will be increased in a phase wise manner. 
It requires a lot of funds. In the first phase, we have added 600 panchayats. We are in the process of empowering the 
common man.

• You are talking of empowerment of common men but the announcement to set up Madhu Sudan Legal Aid Centre is still a distant dream. 

Earlier, the Government of India had announced a programme to provide legal assistance, but it was shelved midway. Later, the state government came out with the Madhu Sudan Aain Sahayata Kendra to provide legal assistance to the poor and underprivileged. Work to this effect has already begun. In each panchayat, assistance will be provided to the poor.

• We are talking of devolution of power, but the panchayats are yet to be get financial powers.

The finance commission has already recommended devolution of more financial powers. The gram panchayat development plan is already in force.

• Jagannath temple comes under the law department. We have noticed a number of issues pertaining to the temple that have created problem for the smooth functioning of its rituals.    

The state government has set up a judicial commission to bring reform in the temple. The commission has invited suggestions from all stakeholders, including devotees and the sevayats. The commission has received more than 800 affidavits and suggestions. It will certainly come out with some recommendations to bring about reforms in the 12th-century shrine. Reform is the need of the hour in the temple.

• You must have felt hurt when your name was dragged into the controversy during the Nabakalebar and rath yatra last year.

Many things go by perception. There are a lot of reforms required for Jagannath temple. Management committee is looking into the issue.

• There has been a demand to set up high court circuit benches in western Odisha. The people are agitating over the issue that the government is sitting idle on this issue.

No comments.

• From a student leader in Vani Vihar to becoming a minister in the Naveen Patnaik government. Your journey seems to be phenomenal. How do you see this?

Politics is where you get the right platform to serve people. Since my university days, I had a desire to serve the society and this desire propelled me to join active politics. There are many ups and downs in this journey. With the blessings of Naveen Patnaik, I have been made a minister and now I am doing my work. 

• Recently your name was dragged into a controversy on how you had supported Motilal Gouda, who was later caught by the vigilance for adopting fraudulent means. 

For the past 25 years, I am in the city. Personally, I know more than 10,000 to 15,000 people by name. All of them have come to me on different occasions. If they commit some mistakes, what can I do? I am in no way concerned. The investigating agencies are doing their job.

• Earlier, you were considered close to Pyari Mohan Mohapatra, the archrival of Naveen.  Now, you are emerging as the blue-eyed boy of Naveen Patnaik. How to do you see these changes?

Let me tell you that Naveen babu is my only leader. I am an ordinary worker of the party. Whatever the party assigns me to do, I carry it out. There is no question of my emerging as the blue-eyed boy of Naveen babu.

• You used to send warm messages to people on New Year's eve by writing theme-based poems every year. What would be the message for this year? 

Last year, I had sent greetings to nearly 5,000 intellectuals, writers and others. The message urged people to respect our elders. How the concept of old age home has eroded our culture. This year, the theme is to shun violence and vanity. Everyone has a violent streak. We have to shun violence. Sometimes people also show their vanity. In fact, I raise these issues so that people will not forget their roots. Since 2000, I am doing this. From 2011 onwards, I am doing it with more seriousness and sending greetings to thousands of people.

YOUNG TURK

• A firebrand speaker, Arun Sahu, 49, is known for his persuasive skills in the political circle
• He is a former president of Utkal University Students’ Union
• At present, he is seen as the young face of BJD  
• He was first elected to the Assembly in 2004 from Nayagarh constituency
• He became deputy chief whip of the ruling party in 2009 and a minister in 2012 

What would you have been if you had not been a politician?

Had I not come into politics, I would have taken to teaching. Besides, I love to interact with young people.