Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Tuesday set targets for different departments for completion of the ongoing reconstruction work in the cyclone affected areas of the state.
The Chief Minister’s direction has come a few days after the United Nations applauded the work of the state government in tackling the cyclone Phailin which hit Odisha in October. Naveen who reviewed the progress of the reconstruction activities at a high level meeting at the secretariat, directed the water resources and energy departments to complete the repair work of the lift irrigation points damaged in the cyclone by January 15 to enable the farmers to take up Rabi cultivation.
The water resources and rural developments departments have been asked to complete the repair of affected river embankments, canals and village roads by March 31, 2014. Besides, he also asked the school and mass education department to complete the reconstruction of school buildings before the commencement of the next academic session. School buildings in Ganjam district were extensively damaged by the cyclone. In view of the massive loss to the horticulture sector, the Chief Minister underscored the need for largescale plantation of fruit bearing and vegetable saplings as well as early cultivation of sugarcane.
It was decided that the soil conservation and horticulture departments would jointly take up cashew plantation work in Ganjam district by utilising funds from the MGNREGS.