Bhubaneswar: The Odisha government has fast tracked the projects under Odisha Mineral Bearing Areas Development Corporation ( OMBADC) projects.
The chief secretary Asit Tripathy took a sector wise review of the programmes in Board of Directors Meeting held on Wednesday as Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Uma Nanduri presented the updates and outlined the issues for discussion.
Looking into implementation of the projects sanctioned under Phase-I ( Adhoc CAMPA ) and Phase-II (Compensation Money ) , chief secretary directed the implementing departments to complete the projects within scheduled time without fail. Triparthy laid emphasis on expeditious implementation of livelihood, drinking water and health sector projects.
The Corporation was asked to strengthen the district level OMBADC cell and make it more vibrant. It was decided to utilize the services of thematic experts in livelihood, health and education sectors. Tripathy also directed that the authority for according administrative approval to the projects be delegated to Secretaries of respective departments for avoiding procedural delay.
Considering the potential for horticulture in the OMBADC districts like Keonjhar, Koraput, Sundargarh , Sambalpur, Mayurbhnaj, chief secretary directed the agriculture department to build up a Mega Nursery for all verities of horticultural plants.
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. It was decided to grow the tall seedlings for distribution which will help in enhancing the survival percentage.
Secretary skill development and technical education Sanjay Singh appraised that 13 popular and employable trades were identified for the area. It was decided to develop the Innovative Skill Development Centers as per manpower demands of the industries coming up in Odisha.
Presenting the updates about the projects, CEO Nanduri said, “So far projects of worth 1080.92 cr 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 hect, ANR 3607 hect, Avenue plantation along 842 kms and distribution of 98,0000 seedlings for urban plantation”.
Similarly, the projects of worth Rs12,118 cr were sanctioned under Phase-II ( compensation money). These projects ranged over the sectors like drinking water supply, quality improvement in education, skill development, up-gradation of infrastructure in health service institutions, strengthening of integrate 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.
Review showed by end of August of current year, more than 95% ( 28,500 nos) of the dwelling houses and 93% ( 199 nos) of the drinking water projects have been completed. 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. CEO Nanduri appraised “So far, Rs.2085 cr have been released against Phase-II projects. Balance amount will be released as and when the implementing department asks for it”.
Chief secretary Tripathy set the time limit against each project and directed the line departments to adhere to it. It was decided to take up a slew of new projects in the coming week.
Chief secretary directed to formulate new projects in the sectors of livelihood promotion, supply of safe drinking water and strengthening of health service delivery in mining affected areas.
Additional chief secretary health and family welfare Pradeepta Kumar Mohapatra and additional chief secretary forest & environment Dr Mona Sharma participated in the review.
