PHULBANI: Nabard has sanctioned Rs 57 crore to the district for development of infrastructure. The funds will be utilised for construction of 12 big bridges, seven roads, 10 minor irrigation points, 25 irrigation points in different rivers and digging 713 wells and deep wells for irrigation purposes.
Meanwhile, construction of five big bridges, two minor irrigation projects, 69 lift irrigation points has been completed in the district with the financial help of Nabard, revealed Chief General Manager (CGM) of the bank Chittaranjan Patnaik after a visit to the district.
After reviewing the ongoing projects in the district, Patnaik said in the aftermath of riots the district needs more developmental projects. Nabard has taken a lot of initiatives for improving the lot of people like ensuring the source of earning, strengthening co-operative banks, providing hybrid seeds to the farmers along with imparting training to them on latest farming technologies, setting up farmer clubs in each villages and developing the concept of preparation of small gardens in each households.
For cultivation of mango and cashew-nuts in Daringibadi and Raikia blocks, Nabard has provided financial assistance and the farmers there will be encouraged to rear poultry and cattle, the CGM added. As the villagers are dependant on co-operative banks so the banks would be financial strengthened so that the farmers could avail sufficient loans. Nabard is giving emphasis on formation of farmer clubs in different villages so that the villagers could avail financial help like women SHGs. Since ‘siali’ leaves are available abundantly in the district, manufacturing and sale of leaf plates could improve the economic status of the tribals. Keeping this in view, Nabard has taken steps to provide machines to the people for stitching leaf plates.
Assistant General Manager of Nabard P.K.Mohapatra, District Planning Officer Alekha Sethi, executive engineers of PWD, Minor Irrigation, Rural Development and other district level officers were present at the review meet.