Rs 18 cr to be spent annually for dev projects in Kandhamal

Date 31st March 2010
Phulbani (Orissa): Government has earmarked Rs 18 crore to be spent annually to carry out special developmental works in Kandhamal district and urged the youth to help maintain peace in the region, that witnessed communal riots for about 9 months in 2008.

"Youths should fight divisive forces and remain vigilant to maintain peace and to foil any attempt to divide the society," Patnaik said inaugurating 'Antarang' - an initiative aimed at long term peace and harmony among all communities.

During his visit to the Maoist-affected and communally sensitive Kandhamal amidst tight security, the chief minister granted Rs five Lakh to each of the 12 blocks in the district to strengthen the programme.

Patnaik, who also inaugurated the Command Area Development (CAD) Programme of Pilla Salki Medium Irrigation Project at Gudari near here, said his government was committed to all round development of Scheduled Tribe and Scheduled Castes and other backward people of Orissa.

All out efforts are on to bring these communities to the mainstream, particularly in Kandhmal. The CAD Project, taken up at a cost of Rs six crore, will irrigate a cultivable area of more than 2,000 hectares, he said.

Patnaik said Rs 18 crore would be spent in 12 blocks of Kandhamal every year for undertaking various developmental and welfare programmes under Biju Kandhmal Yojana and to facilitate education of ST and SC, he said.

Patnaik said the state government had decided to set up 5,000 hostels within five years to accommodate five Lakh ST, SC women in the state.

The government had also been sympathetic to the forest dwellers and was taking steps to settle their forest land disputes, he said.

The Chief Minister distributed 'pattas (land deeds), pensions, prizes and citations to the beneficiaries of 'Madhubabu Pension Yojana', 'Mo Kudia Yojana' and NREGS.

He also inaugurated a district level development exhibition at Gudari village and laid foundation of a 100-seat ST women Hostel at local ITI premises on the outskirt of the town.