Special development programme for Maoist-hit blocks in Odisha

In a bid to instill confidence among people and ensure all-round development, the administration is set to launch a special programme, Operation Blue Moon, in Maoist-hit Narayanpatna and Bandhugaon blocks of Odisha's Koraput district.
Operation Blue Moon would be launched on August 4, a day after the July 28-August 3 protest by Maoists for its slain activists, and will span over eight weeks, Collector of Koraput district Jaya Kumar V said.
During the period, people's grievances will be addressed, surprise inspection of government offices carried out, villagers' demands for various projects will be listed and infrastructure development work expedited.
The administration has appointed seven district-level officials as nodal officers for the programme, which will be monitored by the district collector.

"Officials not staying in the block headquarters will be taken to task. Keeping in mind people's demands, projects will be designed and all villages equipped with piped water supply, electricity, schools, healthcare facilities and pucca roads," the Collector said.
"Based on the feedback of the programme, its time period may be extended," he said.

The special programmes have been designed to strengthen infrastructure and ensure that all government programmes reach the beneficiaries, Jaya Kumar said.
"People residing in Narayanpatna and Bandhugaon feel neglected. Most rural areas in the two blocks are yet to get all-weather roads," he said.
The Centre has included Bandhugaon block among the 10 most backward blocks of the country under Vanbandhu Kalyan Yojana under which the blocks will receive Rs 10 crore annually from Union Tribal Affairs Ministry for the next five years to strengthen infrastructure.