SONEPUR/BOUDH: In a whirlwind tour to Sonepur and Boudh districts on Wednesday, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik inaugurated several projects. Eyeing the ensuing panchayat elections, the Chief Minister also laid foundation stones of many projects.
Addressing a public meeting at Pandkital in Dunguripali block of the district, Naveen said the State Government is committed to development of farmers and agriculture. He said the farmers will get the special drought assistance (SDA) of `100 per quintal of paddy for the crop loss sustained in the last kharif season. He also shed light on medical insurance of `100 annually for farmers and agriculture loan at one per cent interest.
Reassuring the farmers that there is no dearth of funds for the farm sector, he said the State Government is laying thrust on irrigation to boost agriculture. Terming river Mahanadi as lifeline of Odisha, he said the fight against Chhattisgarh over Mahanadi will continue.
Elaborating on various welfare measures undertaken by the Government, he said it is committed to development of all sections of people. During his visit, the Chief Minister inaugurated and laid foundation stones for various development projects in the district including bridge over river Tel on Haradkhol-Baidyanath Road, bridge over Suktel on Deulpadar-Pua Road and widening of Sonepur-Binka-Rampur-Dunguripali road. He also laid foundation stones for various anganwadi centres, construction of additional classrooms for various schools and construction of various panchayat office buildings.
Later, the Chief Minister also addressed the public at Birmaharajpur. Here, he inaugurated high-level bridges over Harad nullah, Dhobijoar nullah, Salesingh nullah and Amad nullah, all on Sonepur-Sambalpur road.
Later in the day, he went to Sarsara under Harbhanga block in Boudh district and laid foundation stone for various development projects including a Primary Health Centre at Charichhak, Harbhanga and Sagada. Naveen also visited Kantamal in Boudh district.