Bhubaneswar: Oxford University has highly praised Odisha's Ganjam model of COVID-19 management and stated that empowerment of Sarpanches in the fight against pandemic proved successful in the district.
One of the main reasons for the success of Ganjam in COVID management was the active participation of Sarpanchs. The State government delegated District Collector powers to Sarpanchs.
In a first in the country, Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik had bestowed District Collector's powers to Sarpanches in April for tackling coronavirus pandemic. It has immensely helped the State in general and Ganjam district in particular in preventing the spread of the virus.
Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik personally monitored COVID management in Ganjam district. He regularly interacted with the Ganjam district administration and also with Sarpanchs to control COVID in the district.
A record number of officers and doctors were deputed to the district during the peak of the pandemic.
About five lakh people returned to Ganjam district in May after lockdown from COVID hotspot states like Gujarat, Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu, etc.
Earlier, the World Health Organisation (WHO) had appreciated Odisha for excellent COVID management.
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