Massive Mandate to Naveen govt for development: Orissa Governor

The Economic Times, 9th June, 2009

BHUBANESWAR: Orissa governor Murlidhar C Bhandare on Monday claimed the decisive mandate given to the Naveen Patnaik government in the just
concluded election was an affirmation of the success of the development programmes being carried out for the economic prosperity of the state. "It shall be the earnest endeavour of my government to attain the goals set out and implement the programmes", he asserted addressing the maiden session of the newly constituted 14th state assembly here on Monday. The sharp rise in plan size from Rs 2,500 crore to Rs 9,500 crore in the last five years has contributed to the economic development of the state, Mr Bhandare claimed, adding that the state government has put agriculture as the biggest priority sector. "About 20% of total Annual Plan resources are being allocated for completing ongoing irrigation projects and taking up new projects. My Government had provided interest assistance to the farmers from Rabi 2008-09 as a result of which agricultural credit was made available at 5% per annum. The same benefit is being extended in the ensuing Khariff season also. To tackle the regional imbalance in the state, the Naveen Patnaik government has taken key initiatives to address problems of underdevelopment and regional disparities through special schemes like Revised Long Term Action Plan (RLTAP), Biju Kalahandi Bolangir Koraput [KBK] Plan, Western Orissa Development Council, Gopabandhu Grameen Yojana and Backward Region Grants Fund (BRGF). "In order to expedite development of the KBK districts and in consultation with Planning Commission, my government has developed an Eight Year Perspective Plan for KBK districts from the year 2009-10 to 2016-17 for a projected outlay of Rs.4,550 crore. The Perspective Plan is awaiting approval of Planning Commission. Listing out several flagship programmes for the poor families, Mr Bhandare said BPL families throughout the state and APL families in KBK districts are being supplied rice @25 Kgs. per month per card at Rs.2 per kg. Nearly 55 lakh families are being benefited under this scheme. A total of 12,64,500 poorest of the poor beneficiaries covered under Antodaya Anna Yojana are being supplied with 35 kg. rice per month @Rs.2.00 per kg. "The BPL families of the State & APL families in KBK districts are being given 25 Kg. of rice at the same rate. Under Annapurna Scheme, 64,800 senior citizens who, though eligible, have not been covered under Old Age Pension Scheme are being provided 10 Kgs. of rice per beneficiary per month free of cost", he remarked.