Odisha Cabinet gives nod to Rs 1,800 cr lift irrigation projects

The Odisha Cabinet on Tuesday approved several proposals, including awarding of tenders for mega lift irrigation projects to create additional irrigation potential for nearly 62,000 hectares.

The Cabinet meeting, chaired by Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, decided that the state government would spend Rs 1,800 crore on 54 mega lift irrigation projects in 23 blocks of five districts -- Sundargarh, Jharsuguda, Ganjam, Kalahandi and Nuapada.

"The entire amount would be borne by the state government and the National Bank for Agriculture & Rural Development (NABARD). Construction of all the 54 lift irrigation points would be completed in 30 months from the date of award of tender," Water Resources Secretary P.K. Jena told the media.

While Larsen & Toubro would execute 28 lift irrigation points in Jharsuguda and Sundargarh districts, Megha Engineering & Infrastructure Ltd would execute 14 points in Ganjam and GVPR Engineering Ltd will execute 12 points in Nuapada and Kalahandi districts, said Chief Secretary A.P. Padhi.

The state government has decided to create an additional irrigation potential of 10 lakh hectares by 2018-19.

The Cabinet also approved an amendment to the Biju Gram Jyoti Yojana.

As per the amendment, the existing Rs 50 lakh per block has been hiked to Rs 1.5 crore in the tribal area and Rs 1 crore in the non-tribal area.

--IANS

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