BERHAMPUR: Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Monday launched 109 projects worth over Rs 600 crore for Rayagada district.
Attending a Subhadra Shakti Mela in Rayagada town, Majhi inaugurated 22 projects worth over Rs 238 crore and laid foundation stones for 87 others valued at more than Rs 366 crore. These projects include infrastructure development works like roads, bridges, healthcare, schools and women empowerment initiatives.
The chief minister also laid the foundation stone for upgradation and beautification of Maa Majighariani Temple at an investment of Rs 37 crore.
Addressing the gathering, Majhi said as per the demands of the district MLAs and local leaders, work on indoor stadiums will soon begin in all the blocks of Rayagada. Education, health and transportation systems will be strengthened while a proposal to set up a medical college in Rayagada is under consideration of the government.
The chief minister said in the coming days, Hindalco is going to expand its operations in Rayagada with an investment of Rs 15,000 crore. Many projects like Vedanta Alumina Refinery and Utkal Alumina International will be set up in the district. Besides, more industries in other sectors will come up in Rayagada. Through these industries, adequate employment opportunities will be created. He said strict instructions have been given to reserve 80 per cent of the jobs for local youths in these industries.
He further said Rayagada has become an example for the entire state in the field of women empowerment. More than 1.52 lakh mothers and daughters in the district are organised through 12,783 SHGs and are creating a bright future for themselves.
In Rayagada, loans worth around `200 crore have been provided to 4,217 SHGs in 2025-26. Revolving funds worth `14 crore have been provided to 9,335 SHGs in the district. Similarly, community investment fund (CIF) worth `53.14 crore has been provided to 164 GPLFs. At least 4,195 SHGs have been provided loans worth `37.55 crore to take up livelihood programmes, he said.
“The Union Budget 2026-27 is a dedicated budget for women. A provision of `5 lakh crore has been made for women and children. To further strengthen the economic participation of women at the grassroots level, it has been announced to set up self-help entrepreneurial marts,” said Majhi.
Among others, MLAs of Rayagada, Bissam-Cuttack and Gunupur besides district collector Ashutosh Kulkarni, chief development officer Akshay Kumar Khemundu were present.