Scheme to create irrigation potential for 55,000 hectare in Odisha

BHUBANESWAR: The State Government on Wednesday decided to launch a new programme with an aim to create irrigation potential for 55,000 ha by reviving and expanding the existing canal systems.  A decision to this effect was taken at a meeting of the State Cabinet presided over by Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik. Besides, the Cabinet approved a proposal to impose 5 per cent VAT on natural gas used in industrial units and its sale in piped format or otherwise for domestic use. The State will receive revenue of `9 crore per annum from this proposal.

Announcing the decisions, Minister for Health, Family Welfare and Law Pratap Jena said the irrigation programme to be launched in memory of late Nabakrushna Choudhury, with an estimate of `635 crore, will be completed within three years.

As per the programme, irrigation potential of 46,296 hectares of 14 large, medium and 284 small irrigation projects will be revived by renovating the existing system. Besides, additional irrigation potential of 8,719 hectares will be created by expansion of canal system of six large and medium irrigation projects. The minister said the programme will be implemented by the State Government from its own resources.

The Cabinet approved a proposal to amend the Wildlife (Protection) (Odisha) Rules, 1974 for enhancement of payment on compassionate grounds to the next of the kin of those killed by wild animals from `3 lakh to `4 lakh. Jackals and hyena have been included in the category of wild animals, Jena said and added that the compassionate grant has been extended to the death of sheep, goat and lamb due to attack of specified wild animals. The decision has been taken in view of the death of a large number of lambs in Niali area of Cuttack district, he said.

Jena said `2,000 will be paid for death of sheep and goat, while `750 will be paid for death of lamb due to attack from specified wild animals. The proposal for revision of project cost for construction of 473 33/11 KV substations with associated 33 KV and 11 KV lines from `2,600 crore to `3,843 crore was approved by the Cabinet.

The project cost had to be revised as the design and technical specification of lines and substations in cyclone and flood-prone areas had to be changed to incorporate a robust resilient system. Besides, a proposal to amend the provisions of Odisha Municipal Act to reserve seats and offices of the local urban bodies at every general election instead of the existing provision of reservation in every two terms was also approved.

Compensation hiked for kin of those killed by wild animals

The irrigation programme, to be launched in memory of late Nabakrushna Choudhury, with an estimate of D635 crore, will be completed within three years
The Cabinet approves a proposal to impose 5 per cent VAT on natural gas used in industrial units and its sale in piped format or otherwise for domestic use
A proposal to amend the Wildlife (Protection) (Odisha) Rules, 1974 for enhancement of payment on compassionate grounds to the next of the kin of those killed by wild animals from D3 lakh to D4 lakh has been approved