Monday, April 7, 2008

Infrastructure to be thrust area of Biju KBK plan

Newindpress, 7th April, 2008

BHUBANESWAR: Development of power and road infrastructure and provision of drinking water will be the thrust areas of the Biju KBK plan which is being implemented with the State Government’s funds.Official sources said that the slogan of ‘bijli, sadak, pani’ given by Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik during the last Assembly polls is being translated into reality through the new scheme.The Biju KBK plan had a budget of Rs 120 crore during 2007-08 financial year. Out of this, Rs 9.88 crore was earmarked for power, Rs 59.91 crore was for road sector and Rs 36.9 crore for drinking water. Besides, Rs 13.31 crore was provided for implementation of other programmes.Power sector development will include village electrification including street lighting. The programme includes construction of concrete roads within the village or any other form of connectivity. Creation of irrigation and drinking water sources will also be taken up under the scheme. Funds will be made available for implementation of any other scheme having inadequate budgetary provisions.Official sources said Rs 20 crore was provided for the implementation of the Biju KBK plan during 2006-07.Out of this, Rs 3 crore each was allocated to Koraput, Balangir and Kalahandi districts while Rs 2.5 crore each was earmarked for Nabarangpur and Rayagada districts.About Rs 2 crore each was provided to Malkangiri, Subarnapur and Nuapada districts. Construction of 87 hostel buildings for girls, 247 buildings for women self help groups (SHGs), 165 buildings for anganwadi centres and 165 bridges/culverts have been taken up in all the KBK districts with the funds.The Assembly Committee on Planning and Coordination Department has, however, taken strong exception to the failure of the poverty alleviation programmes in reducing poverty in a spectacular manner. It has asked the State Government to fix time limit for reduction of poverty.

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