Odisha Chief Secy Puts Projects Under OMBADC On Fast Track

Bhubaneswar: Chief Secretary Asit Tripathy has put the projects under Odisha Mineral Bearing Areas Development Corporation (OMBADC) on fast track by setting a time limit for each project.

Reviewing the progress of various projects at the OMBADC Board of Directors Meeting on Wednesday, Tripathy directed the implementing departments to complete the projects sanctioned under Phase-I (Ad hoc CAMPA) and Phase-II (Compensation Money) within scheduled time without fail.

The OMBADC was asked to strengthen the district level cells and make those more vibrant. It was decided to utilise the services of thematic experts on livelihood, health and education sectors. Tripathy directed that the authority for according administrative approval to the projects should be delegated to secretaries of respective departments for avoiding procedural delay.

He told the Agriculture and Farmers’ Empowerment department to develop a mega nursery for all verities of horticultural plants in OMBADC districts like Kenonjhar, Koraput, Sundargarh, Sambalpur and Mayurbhnaj which have the potential for horticulture.

Development Commissioner Suresh Mohapatra directed the department to collect best species mother plants of all verities suitable for agro-climatic zone of Odisha so that those could be multiplied through plant breeding processes in the nursery.

Tripathy also asked the secretary, Skill Development and Technical Education, Sanjay Singh, present at the meeting, to set up Innovative Skill Development Centres in OMBADC area.

Singh said 13 popular and employable trades have been identified for the area. It was decided to develop the skill centres as per manpower demands of the industries coming up in the state.

Chief Executive Officer of OMBADC Uma Nanduri said projects worth Rs 1080.92 crore in priority sectors like housing, drinking water, skill development and forestry have been sanctioned under Phase-I fund of the corporation. The major projects include construction of 29,829 dwelling houses, 215 small pipe water supply projects and 3 mega Pipe Water Supply Projects, block plantation over 882 hectare, ANR 3607 hectare, avenue plantation along 842 km and distribution of 98,0000 saplings for urban plantation.

Similarly, projects worth Rs. 12,118 crore were sanctioned under Phase-II (compensation money). These projects covered drinking water supply, quality improvement in education, skill development, infrastructure upgradation in health institutions, strengthening of integrated child services, livelihood promotion through fishery/animal husbandry/horticulture activities, remote connectivity, environmental protection, water harvesting, soil and moisture conservation and creation of water bodies. These projects are being implemented through 12 departments.

It was revealed at the review meeting that around 95% (28,500 nos) of the dwelling houses and 93% (199 nos) of the drinking water projects have been completed by the end of August this year. Similarly, more than 95% of the activities under farm/social forestry has been accomplished. Majority of the projects under Phase-II have been taken up by the respective departments.