BERHAMPUR: During his day-long whirlwind tour of Ganjam district on Sunday, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik inaugurated several projects.Addressing a gathering at a disability camp on UCP Engineering School ground here, the Chief Minister said the Government is committed to all-round development of the State and has implemented several schemes for the public in this regard. Among the schemes, Bhima Bhoi Bhirnakhyama Samarthya Abhiyan is the most beneficial, he said and thanked the beneficiaries and local administration for arranging the camp. Naveen also distributed assistance and appliances to 7,407 disabled persons at the camp.
Speaking at the event, Social Security and Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (SSEPD) Minister Prafulla Samal said around 12 lakh physically challenged persons in the State have been identified. After dividing them into 21 groups, the State Government is providing assistance to them, Samal said.
On the day, Naveen inaugurated a super speciality block, constructed at a cost of `55.36 crore, auditorium hall worth `9.77 crore, lecturer theatre-cum-laboratory of nursing school at a cost of `13.88 crore and a road-over-bridge from Gosaninuagaon to Goods Shed Road on the premises of MKCG Medical College and Hospital (MCH).
Earlier, the Naveen inaugurated the new building of the police station at Bhanjanagar worth `2.5 crore. Accompanied by Minister Bikram Keshari Arukh, Kandhamal MP Pratyusha Rajeswari Singh and a host of legislators, Naveen also laid foundation stones for a neonatal intensive care unit, Government industrial training institute, regional transport office, bridge near Kokolaba and distributed aids and appliances to physically challenged persons at Kabi Samrat Upendra Bhanja College ground.
In another disability camp held at the mini stadium in Hinjili, Naveen distributed aids and appliances to 9,069 physically challenged persons and inaugurated health centres of Sikiri and Pitala.
Among others, Ministers Surya Narayan Patro and Usha Devi as well as MPs of Berhampur and Aska attended the events of the Chief Minister.
For Naveen’s visit, three temporary helipads were constructed at Bhanjanagar, Hinjili and MKCGMCH ground. Elaborate security arrangements were also made for the CM’s visit. Over 20 persons, including 11 in Berhampur, were detained by police for displaying black flags and raising slogans against the CM.