By Our Correspondent
SAMBALPUR/BHUBANESWAR:With the aim of prioritizing the development of Sambalpur district and providing basic amenities to the people and protecting the interests of the displaced and affected people, the district administration held separate meetings of the District Coordination and Oversight Committee (DISHA) and the Rehabilitation Advisory Committee (RPDAC) of NLC India Limited today.
Sambalpur MP and former Union Minister Shri Dharmendra Pradhan Disha discussed in detail the projects of these four major departments including irrigation, railways, telecommunication and power infrastructure in the district. Similarly, in the RPDAC meeting, the land acquisition, fair compensation, rehabilitation, employment and environmental development under CSR of the people affected by the Talabira Coal Mine and Talabira Thermal Power Project of NLC India Limited in Sambalpur and Jharsuguda districts were discussed in detail.
The meeting recommended conducting ‘District Hydrology Mapping’ to increase the existing irrigated land in Sambalpur district in the coming days. The meeting emphasized on the massive investment of ‘PM Kusum’ scheme, Chief Minister’s Adibandh Scheme, Mega Lift Irrigation and canal rehabilitation in offland areas like Naktideul, Redhakhol, Kuchinda, Bamra and Jamankira. Sambalpur main railway station is being given a new look at a cost of Rs 350 crore, while Hirakud, Sambalpur City, Redhakhol and Rengali stations are being modernized. Since the Sambalpur Municipal Corporation has been extended on both sides of the railway line, the Railway Department and the Municipal Administration have been given a joint responsibility to examine the feasibility of constructing ‘foot overbridges’ at the required places for the convenience of the city dwellers.
In addition to the 202 towers currently operational, the process of installing about 250 new telecom towers is being taken up for 100% digital connectivity in the district. BSNL and the Telecom Department have been directed to prepare a special ‘Master Plan’ to connect all Gram Panchayats, Health Centres and High Schools with broadband internet. Under the ‘PM Surya Ghar’ scheme, solar systems have been installed in around 6,000 houses in the district so far. By making solar power a mass movement, great emphasis has been given to solarization in all government offices and residential buildings, including the new Collectorate Bhawan, which will reduce the electricity costs of the people and protect the environment. The MP Shri Pradhan advised the district administration to complete the development projects of Sambalpur within the stipulated time and reach the last line of people with the benefits of government schemes.
Giving information about the RPDAC meeting, Shri Pradhan said, most of the SC, ST, OBC and poor families of Sambalpur and Jharsuguda areas were already displaced during the construction of Hirakud dam and now they are facing displacement again. Therefore, our government and administration are giving their best priority to their welfare and security. The meeting focused on empowering the youth of the local area and creating opportunities for employment, self-employment and self-employment. He said that it was discussed in the meeting that the NLCIL company authorities will accept all the important suggestions given in the meeting with determination and implement them properly.
The Disha meeting was attended by Odisha Rural Development, Panchayati Raj and Drinking Water Minister Shri Ravinarayan Nayak, Sambalpur MLA Shri Jayanarayan Mishra, Rengali MLA Shri Sudarshan Haripal, District Council Chairpersons, Chairpersons of various blocks and public representatives, as well as officers from various departments of the Central and State Governments. Similarly, Jharsuguda MLA Tankadhar Tripathi and Rengali MLA were also present in the RPDAC meeting.
