By Bizodisha Bureau, Bhubaneswar, March 8, 2016: Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Tuesday Rs 1200 crore towards for of remote areas in the state during a meeting with Union rural development minister Chaudhary Birender Singh here.

The CM demanded funds for completion of road projects of 375 km in Maoist-affected Malkangiri and Koraput districts and providing road connectivity to 4035 places under Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojna (PMGSY) which are not yet covered under the scheme.

This apart, Mr Patnaik sought Rs 250 crore under National Rural Drinking Water Programme (NRDWP) for providing potable water facility in rural areas. Similarly, the chief minister also stressed on early release of central aid of Rs 29 crore under National Rural Livelihood Mission. In addition to this, he demanded approval for release of Rs 504 crore and Rs 637 crore pending towards Indira Awas Yojna (IAY) scheme and Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS).

The CM sought approval for completion of 3000 km roads in Phailin-affected areas.

“I met Union rural development minister Chaudhary Birender Singh regarding sanction of 24 road projects covering a length of 375 km in Left Wing Extremism-affected districts of Malkangiri and Koraput under road requirement plan phase II. I also demanded to approve 4035 left out unconnected habitations in the co-network under the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojna and sanction 3000 km of roads badly affected by cyclone Phailin,” the CM said after his meeting with the Unionminister.

The CM is on a seven-day visit to New Delhi where he is scheduled to meet several ministers in the national capital.