Bhubaneswar: In pursuance of the state government’s policy for development of small towns, chief minister Naveen Patnaik on Thursday inaugurated a cotton ginning and pressing mill and a bus terminal at Digapahandi in Ganjam district.
“The government has been engaged in providing livelihood and basic amenities to the people in small towns as part of its welfare policy. The people of Digapahandi now have a new bus terminus for communication and a cotton mill for earning livelihood. Besides, every household in the town has been provided tap water,” Naveen said on the occasion.
Stating that opening the cotton ginning mill is a new initiative, he hoped that it would help the cotton farmers increase their income. The mill that has been set up with a budget of Rs 3.28 crore will cater to the farmers of Ganjam and Gajapati districts.
The area of cotton cultivation in Digapahandi has increased from 500 hectare to 5000 hectare while production has jumped to 44 quintal from 4 quintal, official sources said.
Assembly Speaker Surjya Narayan Patro also spoke at the inaugural function organised on virtual mode. Secretary 5T VK Pandian coordinated the event.
