Odisha reviews projects totalling Rs 900 crore in mining districts

Odisha Chief Secretary A.P. Padhi on Friday reviewed the progress made vis-a-vis projects entailing an expenditure of Rs 900 crore under the Odisha Mineral Bearing Areas Development Corporation (OMBADC).

These projects relate to developmental activities undertaken by OMBADC, which was constituted with money contributed by mining lessees, in mining areas in eight districts.

"So far, the corporation has got funds of around Rs 1,000 crore. As of now, projects worth Rs 900 crore have been approved for carrying out developmental works in mineral- bearing areas," said Padhi.

The issue of improving the living conditions of mine labourers also figured in the meeting.

Various projects like construction of pucca houses with toilets, drinking water, road connectivity, sanitation and afforestation on saturation mode were prioritised.

The state has identified 691 villages in the mineral-bearing districts of Angul, Dhenkanal, Jajpur, Jharsuguda, Kendujhar, Koraput, Mayurbhanj and Sundargarh to spend the allocated funds.

So far, 29,829 housing units and 217 drinking water projects have been sanctioned under the OMBADC.

Farm and social forestry on 1,938 hectares of land and avenue plantation along 535 kms of roads were taken up during 2016-17.

The Chief Secretary directed for completion of dwelling units in a time-bound manner and asked officials to ensure houses for homeless families in mining-affected areas.

The Panchayati Raj Department was directed to undertake a detailed survey on homeless persons and prepare a project for construction of houses for them. Landless families will get land under the state government's Basundhara scheme.

Development Commissioner R. Balakrishnan directed officials to focus on improving road connectivity to ensure basic services to mining-affected people.

--IANS

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