580 zero-based investment projects in 2011-12

The Orissa government has identified 580 zero-based investment projects for completion during 2011-12. This includes 475 new projects and 105 spilled over projects of the previous fiscal.

Out of the 475 new projects, 383 projects are of the rural development department, 55 of the works department, 30 of water resources department, three of housing & urban development department and four of industries department.

It may be noted that the state had identified 520 zero-based investment projects, entailing a cost of Rs 159.63 crore in 2010-11 and out of these, work on 405 projects were completed.

To ensure timely completion of these identified projects, the concerned departments of the government have been allowed to make necessary provision in the Budget and in case of necessity, they have been allowed reallocation of funds within the overall Budgetary allocation made for the department.

During the last nine years (2002-03 to 2010-11) of implementation of the scheme, as many as 701 out of 1280 identified projects have been completed.

The identification of projects is independently done by the concerned departments.

The screening is made through strict technical, financial and economic appraisal in order to achieve maximum social impact and optimum utilization of the limited resources available.

The zero-based investment scheme encompasses incomplete projects each costing Rs four crore and above and also projects costing Rs one crore and above.

Prioritized ongoing projects are short listed for implementation and full funding is assured for the prioritized projects.