At an event held at the Kalinga Stadium in Bhubaneswar on Monday, Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik presented land ownership certificates to 65,000 underprivileged people living in slums in Bhubaneswar, Cuttack, Berhampur, Sambalpur, and Raurkela. Odisha, by the way, is the only state in the country that grants slum residents land rights.
The Chief Minister stated at a gathering on this occasion that financial support will be provided to the beneficiaries for the construction of houses. The second phase of the certificate will receive awards in October of the following year. The Chief Minister stated that this campaign will continue until all of these cities’ disadvantaged families obtain land rights.
It is worth noting that the Jaga Mission program, which began in 2018, gives underprivileged households living in urban slums land rights. More than 2,40,000 families in various localities throughout the state have gained land rights to date. Along with this, 40,000 families have received housing help. With the aim of achieving a slum-free Odisha, authorities are renovating and transforming these slums into Biju Model Colonies. the goal of making Odisha slum-free, all of these slums are being renovated and converted into Biju Model Colonies. Biju Model Colony has so far converted 1010 villages in 68 urban regions.
The Chief Minister said, “The city is not only for the rich. Even the poor have the right to live in the city with their families. The labour of the poor is added to every brick used in the construction of the city. We should all respect their contribution. Jaga Mission has given respect to the poor, giving them a new identity.”
He stated that the Jaga Mission has captured the attention of the entire globe and that the underprivileged have the first right in the city. The Chief Minister believes that the Jaga Mission has heralded a new era in the city’s transformation. “The 5T initiative has accelerated our efforts to transform people’s lives,” he adds.
The Chief Minister appreciated Tata Steel Foundation and Tata Steel for their important contributions to the Jaga Mission initiative. “We are moving ahead with everyone’s cooperation.” Stating that the government’s goal is to build a new Odisha, a strong Odisha, a transformed Odisha, he said, “Today’s programme will be a milestone towards achieving this goal.”
The Chief Minister inaugurated 1010 Biju Model Colonies and honored the cities of Cuttack, Khordha, Koraput, and Jajpur for their exceptional contribution in the creation of the Biju Model Colony during this program.
He stated that where it is not possible to give slum residents a space in their own area due to legal considerations, new colonies are being established in surrounding areas with the permission of all. The Chief Minister also promoted Chikiti, Boudh, Dhenkanal, and Keshinga for their remarkable achievements in establishing the new colonies.
The Dhenkanal district was the first in the country to offer slum dwellers land rights under the Forest Rights Act.
Speaking at the event, Odisha Minister of Housing and Urban Development Usha Devi stated that the poor people of the state are smiling today because of the Chief Minister’s vision and efforts.
The Managing Director of Tata Steel Foundation said, “Tata Steel is always ready to provide support to the government in various public welfare programmes. Although such a programme is completely new to Tata Steel, we have taken up this responsibility well. We will continue to cooperate in the state government’s efforts.”