By Our Correspondent
CHHATRAPUR/KABISURYANAGAR/BHUBANESWAR: Several development projects worth Rs 1952.89 crore were on Sunday launched by Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik in his home turf of Ganjam district. Among others, the Chief Minister was accompanied by 5T Secretary VK Pandian and other district-level officers during the occasion.
CM Patnaik laid the foundation stones of a slew of development projects including a project worth Rs 316 was launched in the Kabisuryanagar area alone. He also launched at least 825 projects at an estimated cost of Rs 1952.89 crore here for the people of Ganjam.
Patnaik announced that his government would sanction at least Rs 619 crore loan with zero percent interest to 2.24 lakh women of 22,200 self-help groups (SHGs). In the next five years, interest-free loans to the tune of Rs 50,000 crore will be provided to different women SHGs for their prosperity, he said.
At the same time, farmers are being provided with interest-free loans up to Rs 1 lakh to boost agriculture and allied sectors, the Chief Minister added.
Patnaik distributed ‘land record of rights’ to over 20,000 people who have been living on government land for generations in the district. A total of 3,500 leases were given in Chhatrapur including 4,500 leases in Hinjili, and more than 11,000 leases in Kabisuryanagar.
Lauding women for playing a significant role in the state’s progress, Patnaik distributed interest-free loans of Rs 280 crore to self-help groups (SHGs).
“Ganjam district has set milestones in healthcare and education sectors. So far, 50,000 beneficiaries have benefited from Biju Swasthya Kalyan Yojana in the Ganjam district alone for which the state government has spent over Rs 90 crore. Similarly, the high schools in the district have been transformed under the 5T initiative. All schools in the district will be transformed by December this year,” he said, adding, “Out of 630 high schools in Ganjam district, 471 schools have been converted so far.”
