It has been announced that Naveen Patnaik, Chief Minister, has sanctioned Rs 1.83 billion in the second phase for 42 urban local bodies across 10 districts in the Southern RDC Division under the state-funded flagship Scheme MUKTA for the Financial Year 2023-24. The districts covered in this approval are Ganjam, Gajapati, Kalahandi, Nuapada, Koraput, Rayagada, Nabarangpur, Malkangiri, Kandhamal, and Boudh. The 42 urban local bodies have developed ward-wise feasible Annual Action Plans under MUKTA, involving local citizens and key stakeholders through a participatory process. These projects are demand-driven, technically feasible, and environmentally sustainable. The department has reviewed these Action Plans before receiving the chief minister's approval. The execution of these approved projects under MUKTA will be directly handled by Mission Shakti Groups as the Implementing Agency. The government mentioned that on June 9, 5T Secretary VK Pandian, under the direction of Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, held discussions with public representatives of the 42 urban local bodies in the aforementioned 10 districts regarding project implementation. The projects approved under MUKTA encompass climate-resilient work, such as the creation of Civic Amenities (Mini Park, Open Air Gym, Child play station, Playground, Walking track, Loo, Vending Zones), Open Space Development, Water Body Development, Construction of Multi-purpose Community Centers, Wall Painting, City beautification, and other Labor-oriented works.