Naveen Patnaik

By Bizodisha Bureau, December 20, 2016 : The Cabinet chaired by Odisha chief minister, Naveen Patnaik on Tuesday cleared a number of proposals, including awarding of tenders for mega lift irrigation projects to create additional irrigation potential for nearly 62,000 hectares.

One of the important decision was that the state government would spend Rs 1,800 crore on 54 mega lift irrigation projects in 23 blocks of five districts — Sundargarh, Jharsuguda, Ganjam, Kalahandi and Nuapada.

“The entire amount would be borne by the state government and the National Bank for Agriculture & Rural Development (NABARD). Construction of all the 54 lift irrigation points would be completed in 30 months from the date of award of tender,” Water Resources Secretary P.K. Jena told the media persons.

Larsen & Toubro will execute 28 lift irrigation points in Jharsuguda and Sundargarh districts while Megha Engineering & Infrastructure Ltd will execute 14 points in Ganjam. GVPR Engineering Ltd will execute 12 points in Nuapada and Kalahandi districts, according to Chief Secretary A.P. Padhi.

The state government has rolled out an ambitious plan to create an additional irrigation potential of 10 lakh hectares by 2018-19.

The cabinet also approved an amendment to the Biju Gram Jyoti Yojana.

As per the amendment, the existing Rs 50 lakh per block has been hiked to Rs 1.5 crore in the tribal area and Rs 1 crore in the non-tribal area. The cabinet also approved proposals pertaining to Odisha State Legal Services Cadre, Municipal Administration Cadre Rules, and proposal to increase minimum age limit for lecturers of Ayurvedic colleges to 40 years got cabinet nod among others.