Externally aided projects worth Rs 297-cr under implementation

The Orissa government has started implementation of 24 externally aided projects in 2010-11.

The state had received Rs 296.74 crore as Additional Central Assistance (ACA) for the implementation of these projects till March 25 this year, state finance minister Prafulla Chandra Ghadai said in a written reply in the state assembly.

Among the externally aided projects being implemented by the state government are Rengal irrigation project executed by the water resources department. The state has received ACA of Rs 428.57 crore with the donor agency being Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).

Other projects funded by JICA are Orissa Forestry Sector Development Project (Rs 77.02 crore) implemented by the department of forest & environment, Orissa Integrated Sanitation Improvement Project in Bhubaneswar and Cuttack (Rs 8.65 crore implemented by the department of housing & urban development, sewerage system for Greater Berhampur area, integrated sewerage system for Berhampur, improvement of animal healthcare system in Orissa, cluster development approach of brackish water culture area in Orissa, integrated management and pro-poor support project for marine fishermen of Orissa and construction of left bank canal including distribution system of Rengali irrigation project.

Similarly, the World Bank is also funding a host of projects including National Hydrology Project (Rs 2.19 crore), Orissa Community Tanks Management Project (Rs 3.54 crore), Orissa State Road Project, Targeted Rural Initiative for Poverty Termination Infrastructure (TRIPTI), Orissa Water Sector Improvement Project, National Cyclone Risk Management Project, Computerization of Human Resources Management System and Multi-State Agricultural Competitiveness Project.

UK-based Department for International Development (DFID) is funding three projects- Improving Rural Growth and Productivity Opportunities for Poor in Orissa, Orissa Health Sector Development Plan and Orissa Tribal Empowerment & Livelihood Programme in association with the World Food Programme.