By Bizodisha Bureau, December 24, 2021: The Cabinet headed by Odisha chief minister, Naveen Patnaik on Friday approved power infrastructure projects worth Rs 1,796.73 crore.

The Cabinet has decided to execute Phase-IV of the Odisha Distribution System Strengthening Project (ODSSP), which was launched during the year 2013-14 for installing 473 number of 33/11 KV primary sub-stations and its associated lines across the state, said Chief Secretary SC Mahapatra.

Under the project, 99 numbers of 33/11 KV primary substations and independent 33 KV lines of 812.05 km length will be taken up with a total estimated cost of Rs 1,796.73 crore. The project will be implemented over a period of 3 years, effective from financial year 2021-22, he said.

Mahapatra said the state panel has decided to execute five transmission projects worth Rs 259.43 crore in low voltage pockets of the state with 30 per cent (Rs 77.83 crore) equity support from its own resources.

Further, the Cabinet has decided to amend the provisions pertaining to reservation of seats/office of the chairperson, mayor in favour of backward class citizens (BCC) in the Odisha Municipal Act, 1950 and Odisha Municipal Corporation Act, 2003.

Similarly, a tender of Rs 888.50 crore has been approved for redevelopment and expansion of SCB Medical College and Hospital, Cuttack.

Further, three irrigation projects of a total estimated cost of Rs 827 crore also got the nod from Cabinet on Friday. The panel has decided to regularise 3,328 multilingual education (MLE) Sikshya Sahayaks, who were recruited from the tribal candidates of 17 districts having requisite qualification during the year 2013 under Samagra Shiksha.

Moreover, the state has approved the exemption of electricity duty on power consumption in favour of Indian Oil Corporation Limited (IOCL), Paradip Refinery unit based on MoU signed between state government and IOCL.