Odisha to spend Rs 720 cr in mining-hit areas in state

Odisha Sun Times Bureau
Bhubaneswar, Feb 27:

The Odisha Mineral Bearing Area Development Corporation (OMBADC) would spend Rs 720 crore on the overall development in the mineral bearing districts in the state affected by mining activities.

A decision in this regard was taken at the meeting of OMBADC at the state secretariat presided over by the Chief Secretary Aditya Prasad Padhi here today.

OMBADC, a special purpose vehicle created by the state government in April 2014 following the Supreme Court order to carry out developmental activities in mineral rich regions of the state, decided to utilize funds on the socio-economic development of the mining affected areas.

The meeting decided to spend Rs 350 crore on converting the Kaccha houses to Pucca houses in these districts. In addition to this, Rs 350 crore has been earmarked for providing drinking water facility in the regions and Rs 20 crore will be spent on afforestation.

“The meeting discussed on converting the Kaccha houses to Pucca houses, providing piped water supply and afforestation activities in the mineral rich areas in the state. Similarly, the meeting also discussed the mode of utilisation of mineral bearing areas development fund (MBADF),” principal secretary, Forest and Environment Department Suresh Mohapatra said.

Of the total outlay of Rs 869 crore, the meeting today approved project works worth Rs 720 crore, he added.

Notably, the objective of the company is to improve social infrastructure such as provision of drinking water, sanitation, livelihood promotion, irrigation, skill development for alternative livelihood and supplementary income. Besides, environmental upgradation, construction of roads, anganwadi centres, power supply infrastructure, health services, development of sports and other activities also comes under the ambit of the action plan.