Bhubaneswar: Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Tuesday launched the much-hyped ‘Ama Odisha Nabin Odisha’ scheme to be implemented under the state plan for augmentation of rural infrastructure leading to accelerated growth.
To begin with, the Chief Minister launched the programme in Keonjhar and Bhadrak districts through video conference from Bhubaneswar.
With a focus on the development of villages and panchayats as well as promotion, preservation and protection of the Jagannath culture and tradition of the state, the scheme will be implemented across the state with a budget provision of Rs 3397 crore, an official release said.
Altogether 90723 projects will be implemented for 6794 panchayats across the state and an amount of Rs ten lakh will be allocated for every village as part of the scheme. Every panchayat in the state will get Rs 50 lakh to ensure overall development.
Speaking on the occasion, the Chief Minister said the scheme has the vision of a new Odisha, aspirational Odisha and modern Odisha, while retaining the essence, the soul and the spirit of the state.
Noting that Odisha has always been rooted in its culture, its tradition and history, he said Odisha is the Land that gave Jagannath Culture to the world. A culture that is based on universal love, service and equality. It is based on inclusiveness and embraces everyone irrespective of caste and community.
Steps will be taken to protect local places of worship, and sites of historical significance in the state, and provide amenities to our pilgrims and visitors.
Stating that every panchayat has places of local importance, rooted in spirituality and history, Naveen said it is important for our future generations that they be preserved and protected.
Together with strengthening the roots, new Odisha will also firm up her wings to scale the horizon. Our villages need internet connectivity, playgrounds, and science parks for the youth. They need training facilities, work hubs and skill centres for rural entrepreneurs, especially women.
The state needs to bridge the gap in education infrastructure, provide banking facilities, build digital infrastructure and take up other modernisation works. This scheme will support panchayats to take up these works.
All original works from village temple restoration to building futuristic digital infrastructure can be taken up under ‘Ama Odisha Nabin Odisha’, the CM said, adding that the move will herald a new Odisha – modern, dynamic and responsive – for our youth …. our women and children, entrepreneurs, farmers and tribals.