Finance
Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi announced on Thursday a special rehabilitation and resettlement (R&R) package of Rs 75.60 crore for 1,371 Nolia families displaced from Golabandha in Ganjam district, bringing an end to a decades-long wait for rehabilitation.
The package was unveiled at a special event held at Golabandha, where the chief minister also delivered land and house pattas to 96 of the 112 households displaced by the Cheligada Medium Irrigation Project’s first phase.
Women from Golabandha greeted Majhi by tying rakhis before he handed out land pattas to beneficiaries on stage.
Majhi told the audience that the suffering of Golabandha’s displaced citizens had gone unaddressed for more than four decades, dating back to 1984, when property was transferred for the Army Air Defense College.
He stated that his government had prioritized the matter and was trying to offer permanent rehabilitation and secure rights for the impacted families.
Under the special package, each of the 1,371 eligible households would receive a one-time assistance of Rs 5 lakh via direct benefit transfer (DBT) to promote economic self-sufficiency. The entire allocation for this component is Rs 68.55 crore.
Another Rs 4.25 crore has been allocated for housing assistance. The funds will be used to finish 998 unfinished dwellings and build 10 new houses.
More than Rs 2.80 crore has also been approved for infrastructure development in the new Kirtipur Colony, which includes roads, street lights, an anganwadi center, a market complex, public bathrooms, storm shelters, and beach leveling facilities for fishing boats.
The chief minister also emphasized the rehabilitation of families affected by the Cheligada project. The 112 families are being resettled in Santrapur, Digapahandi, and each is entitled to 10 decimals of homestead land and two acres of agricultural land. Pattas were handed to 96 households on Thursday, and the remaining beneficiaries will receive them shortly.
Majhi stated that the Cheligada project, which is set to be completed by the end of next year, will provide irrigation advantages to about 6,000 hectares in Ganjam and Gajapati districts.
Speaking about development measures in Ganjam, the chief minister stated that the government is focusing on the blue economy, which includes the reconstruction of the Arjipalli Fishing Harbor and the establishment of 28 fish landing centers. He also referred to the expansion of Gopalpur Port and a proposed mega port at Bahuda, estimated to cost Rs 21,500 crore.
Investments exceeding Rs 40,000 crore through 14 projects at the Gopalpur Industrial Park are expected to generate employment for more than 18,000 young people, he said, urging the youth to acquire relevant skills as the state is projected to create over five lakh jobs in the next two years.
Revenue and Disaster Management Minister Suresh Pujari said fulfilling people’s aspirations remained a key objective of the government and that the Revenue Department had taken steps to expedite the long-pending rehabilitation process. He assured that facilities and opportunities would be extended to the displaced families and that there would be no unnecessary delay in distributing land pattas.
