Odisha plans inclusive growth in mineral rich areas

The Odisha government has outlined a Rs.818 crore action plan for inclusive growth of mineral bearing areas in the state, said an official Wednesday.

For this, a special purpose vehicle (SPV), Odisha Mineral Bearing Area Development Corporation (OMBADC), will be created.

The SPV will draw its funds from additional Net Present Value (NPV) realized from mining leases. While a total of Rs.1,661 crore has been realized from the mining leases, Rs.818 crore will be spent for development of mining areas in eight mineral bearing districts Keonjhar, Sundargarh, Jajpur, Koraput, Jharsuguda, Dhenkanal, Mayurbhanj and Angul in the first phase.

The decision comes after the direction of Supreme Court in Jan this year that 50 percent of the additional amounts of the net present value recovered by the government from the mining lessees should be used for the creation of the SPV.

The corporation will undertake area development and tribal welfare works to ensure inclusive growth and environmental improvement in mineral bearing areas of the state.

The major activities include raising social infrastructure, provision of drinking water, sanitation, livelihood promotion, irrigation, skill development for alternative livelihood and supplementary income, environmental upgradation, construction of roads, angnawadi centres, power supply infrastructure, health services and development of sports.