Odisha CM Majhi unveils Rs 883 crore urban development package on Local Self-Government Day
BHUBANESWAR: Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi announced a Rs 560 crore special package for 28 newly-formed notified area councils (NACs) and launched 593 projects worth Rs 323 crore across 62 urban local bodies (ULBs) as the state celebrated local self-government day on Monday.
Under the special package, each of the newly-constituted NACs will receive Rs 20 crore for infrastructure development including roads, drains, markets and other civic facilities. The 593 projects launched in the ULBs under the Mukhya Mantri Shahari Vikash Yojana include inauguration of 423 projects worth Rs 102 crorelaying of foundation stones for 170 works worth Rs 221 crore.
Addressing the state-level celebration at Krushi Sikhya Sadan here, Majhi said that cities should not merely be places of residence but centres of employment, enterprise, education and prosperity. “Cities have to be developed as economic centres where the youth get new opportunities, entrepreneurs can grow and new employment is created,” he Majhi directed officials and employees of ULBs to provide services to citizens with efficiency, dignity and respect. He stressed wider use of technology, simplification of procedures and time-bound resolution of public grievances, calling for a change in the work culture of municipal bodies.
The chief minister also urged elected urban representatives to remain connected with the people, listen to their problems and coordinate with officials to address their concerns. As part of efforts to strengthen the capacity of ULBs, MoUs were signed between Odisha Urban Academy and Sri Sri University, Indian School of Business and National Institute of Urban Affairs. An MOU was also signed between Capital Region Urban Transport (CRUT) and Sri Sri Unversity.The chief minister also launched OSWAN video-conferencing facilities in 115 urban local bodies, Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana-BANDHU initiative and Odisha Yatri SOS App.
Housing and Urban Development minister Krushna Chandra Mahapatra said the government had created 28 new NACs and seven new municipalities and accorded municipal corporation status to Puri.