The Chief Minister expressed the hope that apart from fulfilling the communication needs, these new bridges will help in the socio-economic development in the district, a release from the Chief Minister’s Office (CMO) said on Wednesday.

It may be noted here that on the instruction of the Chief Minister, 5T Secretary V K Pandian visited Bargarh district in June and reviewed various development programmes and met common people and heard their grievances.

He informed Naveen about the requests made by the people at various places. The Chief Minister then sanctioned Rs 39 crore for the construction of three large bridges in Bargarh district for the benefit of the people.

Among the three sanctioned bridges, there is a major bridge at Barpali. It will be constructed over the Zealot canal of Barpali. An expenditure of Rs 15 crore will be incurred on this 120-meter-long bridge. It will connect Bargarh and Barpali block headquarters and provide communication facility to the district headquarters. This will benefit about 2.25 lakh people.

Similarly, Rs 12 crore has been sanctioned for the construction of a 60 meter long bridge over the Aagan canal Bargarh municipal area. It will connect Parpali and Bheden block headquarters with Bargarh district headquarters. This will benefit 2.50 lakh people.

Another bridge will be built on a Sarala canal. Rs 12 crore has been sanctioned for this 150-meter-long bridge. It will connect Bhatli with Bargarh and Attabira block headquarters. This will benefit 2.50 lakh

Speaking on the occasion, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik advised the new officers to be proactive in ensuring the services reach the beneficiaries and be sensitive to people.

Congratulating the new officers for their success, the Odisha CM said that Welfare Extension Officers have a significant role at the grassroots level in enhancing the quality of life of a majority section of our state.

He further advised that while the officers need to work in a professional manner for the execution of various programmes, they have to proactively engage people in various endeavours. Besides, in all of their activities, they have to show enough sensitiveness in their public dealings, as the beneficiaries come mostly from underprivileged sections.

He hoped that the new officers are aware of the 5T initiatives following the principles of Technology, Teamwork, Transparency, and Time and ensure transformation happens all around.

Stating that this department is one of the most significant departments of my government, he said that the department looks into the development and welfare of about 75 per cent of people of the state belonging to communities from Scheduled Tribes, Scheduled Castes, Minorities and Backward Class. It certainly has a huge responsibility in carrying forward the inclusive development goals of the state, he added.

Highlighting the flagship programmes, he said that apart from the ongoing livelihood programmes for Tribal people, his Government has also introduced Mukhya Mantri Jana-Jati Jeevika Mission.

He continued, it is one of the largest livelihood promotion initiatives directed specifically for tribal people with a budget allocation of Rs 500 Crore. The scheme will provide support to 1.5 lakh tribal households in 121 blocks of the State over a period of three years starting from 2022-23.

He further said that education is an essential element for socio-economic upliftment. We are modernising schools, building hostels, and enhancing scholarships for tribal students. Besides, he specified, from this year, we have decided to pay one-time financial assistance of up to Rs. 50 thousand to needy ST-SC students pursuing degree education. Odisha is also considered a leading State in the implementation of the Forest Rights Act, he added. He wished the new officers a bright career ahead.

Speaking on the occasion, ST, SC Development Department Minister Jagannath Saraka highlighted the achievements of his department in the development of ST, SC people. He called upon the young officers to work with a commitment to the welfare of people.

Two new officers Binirani Soren, and Bijay Kumar Agasti, sharing their experiences, said that appreciated the citizen-centric governance, and committed themselves to the 5T principles of governance.

Development Commissioner Anu Garg said that the young officers are joining the govt at a very promising time when Odisha has ushered in an era of transformation. She asked the officers to maintain integrity at all costs.

Commissioner-cum-secretary of ST, SC Development Department Roopa Roshan Sahu, in her introductory address, said that this department serves the poorest of the poor. She expected the new officers to work with earnestness following the principle of 5T.

Last month, Adani Power said its Godda Plant had become fully operational.

Adani Power Jharkhand Limited (APJL), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Adani Power Limited, achieved commercial operations date (COD) of its second unit of its 2 x 800 MW Godda Ultra super critical thermal power plant (Godda USCTPP) on June 26 at Godda district in Jharkhand, the company said in a statement.

The reliability run rest, including commercial operation tests of the second unit of Godda power plant, was completed on June 25 in the presence of BPDB and Power Grid Corporation of Bangladesh (PGCB) officials, the statement added.

The first unit of the power plant, with 800 MW capacity, achieved its COD in April this year.

Power supply from Godda USCTPP to Bangladesh’s grid will further enhance energy security in Bangladesh, the company had said.

Adani had met Hasina during her visit to India in September last year.

During his visit to the district to review the progress of various developmental works and redressal of public grievances, Secretary to CM (5T) VK Pandian went to community health centre (CHC) at Chhendipada. During discussion on development of the CHC, the local people demanded its inclusion under the government’s Ama Hospital.

Pandian apprised the Chief Minister of the demand over video phone call at the meeting. Naveen immediately approved the proposal and directed Health department to take steps to start the project.

The secretary also reviewed the progress of mega pipe water supply project for Talcher, Kaniha and parts of Banarpal. The project, which is implemented with a cost of Rs 357 crore, will be completed by August. It will benefit 124 villages.

He took stock of the instream storage structure Brahmani river being built at a cost of Rs 221 crore. It will be completed by July, 2025. He also reviewed the progress of mega pipe water supply project plan for Chhendipada taken up at a cost of Rs 415 crore. The project, which will benefit 172 villages of the block, will be completed in August.

Then Pandian proceeded to Bantala in Angul block, where he interacted with public, heard their grievances and assured expeditious redressal. He reviewed the progress of mega piped water supply project for Angul and parts of Banarpal coming up with a cost of Rs 357.92 crore. It is targeted to be completed in March, 2025 and will benefit 278 villages.

The 5T secretary addressed Intermediate and Graduate students from different colleges at Biju Maidan in Angul town. He informed them about the Chief Minister’s approval for including 47 Plus II and Degree colleges of Angul under 5T Transformation at a cost of Rs 15.25 crore.

Pandian also visited Maa Hingula temple and interacted with the temple committee, priests and public regarding the development of the temple. He also went to Maa Bayani Pitha, Patrapada under Chhedipada block.

Special Secretary to CM R Vineel Krishna, DIG Brijesh Rai, Angul collector Siddharth Swain, SP and district officials accompanied Pandian during the visit.

The Cabinet meeting, presided by Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, extended its approval to 9 proposals. It included the proposal of Panchayati Raj and Drinking Water department to modify the guidelines of “Ama Gaon Ama Bikash” by giving it a new dimension in the form of “Ama Odisha Nabin Odisha” under State Plan.

The new police would be effective from financial year 2023-24 for taking up measures to augment rural infrastructure leading to accelerated growth as well as to promote, preserve and protect Jagannath culture and tradition of the state.

The scheme aims at providing missing links to the existing small and essential projects and development of infrastructure. It plans to achieve empowerment of women and youth, bridge critical gap in education and provide digital and sports facilities.

There is budget provision of Rs 4000 crore under the scheme from the State Budget. The scheme will cover all Gram Panchayats in each block with entitlement of Rs 50 lakh. The project cost will be between Rs 2.5 lakh and Rs 10 lakh.

The Cabinet also approved 99 number of 33/11 KV sub-stations and 64 independent lines with an outlay of Rs 1796.73 crore. At present, these projects are under execution.

Following are other major proposals approved by the Cabinet:

Amendment to the Odisha Secretariat Executive Assistants’ and Persona/ Assistants’ (Method of and Conditions of Service) Rules, 1997. It aims at raising the promotion quota of Group-D employees from the existing 5% to 20% in order to provide a wide scope for promotion of Group-D employees to Group-C posts of Junior Executive Assistant.

Sanction of lease of government land measuring 8.69 acre in Balangir in favour of Rajendra University, Balangir for infrastructure development of the University.

The tender of BEKEM Infra Projects Pvt Ltd of Rs 97.24 crore for construction of high level bridge over river Kharasrota on Nua Bazar-Balitara Ghat Road in Kendrapada district through EPC mode. The project is targeted to be completed within 30 months.

Exemption of Kharif Compulsory Basic Water Rate (CBWR) of non- recurring amount of Rs 4,37,120 and recurring amount of Rs 36,103 for non-supply of KALO Irrigation Project canal water to the farmers of Kainsari village under Udala block of Mayurbhanj district.

Proposal for inclusion of Kui language in 8th Schedule of the Constitution.

The State government is committed to converting the investment intents into ground reality and in this endeavour, holds SLSWCA meetings at regular intervals to fast-track the grounding of projects. This showcases the government’s intent to reinforce Odisha’s rank as 2nd among the States in attracting ongoing investments in FY 2023. Projects spread across diverse sectors like Metal Downstream and Ancillary, Chemicals, Food Processing, Agro Processing, Plastics, Textiles Apparel, IT & ESDM, and Renewable Energy received approvals in the 119th SLSWCA. The approved projects will be set up across various parts of the State including Balasore, Bolangir, Kalhandi,Khurda,and Jajpur Districts.

Odisha has consistently been a leader in the mining and metallurgy sector owing to its natural resource advantage. However, in the last few years, due to concerted efforts by the Government of Odisha, the State has been able to broad-base its industrial ecosystem.The State has attracted one of the leading multinational companies infood-processing sector in the form of Nestlé India Limited. Nestle will be setting up a food processing unit with an investment of over Rs 890 crores providing employment to over 800 people.

In the Textiles & Apparel sector, M/s. Colortone Garments Pvt Ltd (a subsidiary of First Step Baby-Wear), the 2nd largest baby-wear manufacturer in India is setting up an integrated apparel manufacturing facility along with 1.2 MW Rooftop captive solar power plant with an investment of over Rs 200 crores providing employment to over 4820 people.

Similarly, a marquee name in the chemicals sector, Himadri Speciality Chemical Limited also receives approval to set up their first chemical manufacturing unit in Odisha with an investment of over Rs 980 crores providing employment to over 1400 people.

Odisha is also becoming a major investment destination for companies in the plastics sector and threekey projects were approved in this sector during the 119th SLSWCA. IDVB Recycling Operations Pvt Ltd. is setting up a new unit of recycled pet flakes and recycled per resin products having an annual capacity of 63,000 MT with an investment of Rs 318 Crores providing employment to over 240 people. Purv Packaging Pvt Ltd is setting up a new manufacturing unit for Plastic caps, Pet preforms and other allied products, having an annual capacity of 1,017.70 Million Pcs with an investment of Rs 152 Crores providing employment to over 133 people.RDB Rasayans Ltd.is setting up of a new manufacturing unit for Flexible intermediate bulk containers & other allied products, having annual capacity of 6,000MT with an investment of Rs 59 Crores providing employment to over 390 people.

While Odisha remains the leader in the production of Steel, Stainless Steel, Alumina and Aluminium, it is also emerging as the leader in the metal downstream and ancillary sector. This claim was further strengthened today when the SLSWCA approved another two projects in the Metal Downstream and Ancillary sectors. The projects of Beekay Utkal Steel Private Limited and IFGL Refractories Limited were approved which aim to provide employment to more than 350 people of Odisha with an investment of over Rs 260 Crores. IFGL Refractories Limited, one of the leading refractory manufacturers in the country is setting up its 2nd unit in the State, while Beekay Utkal Steel Private Limited, a leading metal downstream company is setting up its 3rdunit in the state.

In the IT & ESDM sector, the committee gave a nod to 1 project, by Nisum Consulting Private Limited with an investment of INR 200 crores. The company proposes to set upa software development centre facility which will provide employment opportunities to over 640 people in Odisha.