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

Government has earmarked Rs 18 crore to be spent annually to carry out special developmental works in Kandhamal district.

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.

PTI

Zee News App: Read latest news of India and world, bollywood news, business updates, cricket scores, etc. Download the Zee news app now to keep up with daily breaking news and live news event coverage.