Bhubaneswar: The Budget Session of the Odisha assembly began today with the address by Governor Raghubar Das. In his address to the house, the Governor mentioned about the achievements of the Government led By Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik in various fields and the successful implementation of the schemes. The Governor praised the Srimandira Parikrama Project of Puri. Built at a cost of Rs 800 crore, the project will provide various facilities and amenities to the devotees.
For the convenience of the people, the Government has also launched the Jagannath Express. After the Srimandir Parikrama project, the Samalei project has also been launched, the Governor said in his address. A new era has begun in the administrative system under 5T and Mo Sarkar, he said.
He also said that the World Odia Language Conference has been organized to promote Odia language. Millets have been given importance as a super food. During 2022-23, 6.03 lakh quintals of Ragi was collected from the farmers. Four lakh quintals of Ragi has been given to ration card holders. KALIA assistance for the farmers has also found a place in the Governor’s address. The Governor noted that 43.88 lakh small and 18.93 lakh landless farmers have received the KALIA assistance.
The Lower Suktel project has been started in Balangir district. In addition, several medium and minor irrigation schemes have been started in the state, the Governor said in his address. The Biju Swasthya Kalyan Yojana has reached 3.5 crore people and the ‘Ama Hospital’ scheme has been started with an expenditure of Rs 750 crore.
Vulnerable and needy families of the State get 5 kgs of rice per head free per month. Under the Antodaya Anna Yojana, 35 kgs of rice is given free of cost per month. The state is providing rice to families excluded from the National Food Security Scheme. The governor said the State Government is providing rice to 9.97 lakh people belonging to 3.15 lakh families. He added that, 79.16 lakh tonnes of paddy has been procured from 17.11 lakh farmers.
Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana is being run in association with the State Government. Since 2014-15, 34.25 lakh pucca houses have been constructed. An incentive of Rs 1387 crore has been given for completion of houses on or before time. The Mo Ghara scheme has been launched to fulfill the dreams of middle-class families to build a house.
Under Ama Odisha Nabin, Rs 50 lakh is being given to each Panchayat. While ten cities have been declared slum-free, all the urban areas of the state will be slum-free by December 2024. Like New York, Tokyo, and Singapore, drink from tap facility has been started in Odisha. In his address, the Governor has said that 23 lakh residents of 24 urban areas are getting drink-from-tap facility.