For the first time in his long stint as Chief Minister, Naveen Patnaik seemed to be on the backfoot even as he laid foundation stone for various development projects, mostly sponsored by the Centre and dedicated facilities in Jharsuguda.
For the first time in his address to the public, Naveen refrained from Centre bashing and instead dwelled on the achievement of his Government. The visit also saw former MLA of Jharsuguda and former Rajya Sabha Member Kishore Mohanty looking out of place with the Chief Minister surrounded by Congress MLAs of the district Naba Kisore Das and Anup Sai and Bargarh Congress MP Sanjay Bhoi.
The visit of the Chief Minister began with inauguration of Soil Testing Centre, followed by laying of foundation stone for a 300-bed Super Specialty Hospital to be constructed from NRHM funds. This Project to be initially developed at an estimated cost of `42.83 crore will be completed in 30 months.
He also dedicated drinking water supply system constructed under Urban Infrastructure Development Scheme for Small and Medium Town at an estimated cost of `3306.59 lakh and a new building for Farm Information and Advisory Centre besides 100-bed hostel for ST boys at Debadihi Sevashram School.
The Chief Minister also laid foundation stone for a new fly-over which would connect Vedanta Road with State Highway-10.
Addressing a public meeting at Sunarimunda, Naveen hoped that the new development project would put the district on the path of further development.
Reiterating the commitment of his Government to development of the poor and the marginalised, he spoke about thrust on promotion of agriculture in the Budget.