BJP Government in Odisha Reopens Lok Seva Bhawan to Media After Four Years

Bhubaneswar, June 13, 2024 – In a significant move, the newly sworn-in BJP government in Odisha, led by Chief Minister Mohan Majhi, reopened the gates of Lok Seva Bhawan to media persons on their first day in office. This decision, announced on Wednesday, ends a four-year restriction in March 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Initially, entry was restricted, and later partially lifted for accredited journalists. However, most journalists from TV news channels and newspapers without accreditation were still barred from the Secretariat.

Approximately 200 media workers, who attended Thursday’s swearing-in ceremony, were escorted inside the Secretariat by the State Information and Public Relations Department. This gesture signifies a new era of transparency and accessibility for the media in Odisha under the BJP administration. By allowing unrestricted access to journalists, the government demonstrates its commitment to openness and the free flow of information, fostering a more inclusive environment for media coverage and public discourse.