During visit to Sundargarh district on Sunday, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik met people from different religions and claimed that his Government has been working for the welfare of people from all religions.
“My Government has been working for the welfare of all religions and all categories,” said Patnaik, while addressing a large gathering of people from Muslim community, here on Sunday. He was felicitated by the people from Muslim community, for being adjudged as the best administrator’ by Outlook magazine, during his one-day visit to steel city on Sunday.
“A Haj house is under construction at Bhubaneswar for the convenience of Haj pilgrimage, which would be completed soon,” Patnaik said. “The number of Haj pilgrimage quota has been enhanced from 650 to 800 now,” Patnaik added.
Responding to the felicitation, Patnaik said he is indebted to the love and affection of the people of the State. “It has been my biggest strength,” Patnaik told.
In a separate function, the Chief Minister was also felicitated by people of the Sikh and Jain communities. Besides, the Chief Minister inaugurated several projects like a renovated cultural centre with e-library, built with a cost of Rs 2.47 crore and a mother and child care centre, built with a cost of Rs 15 crore at the Rourkela Government Hospital. He also laid foundation stone of renovation of the water supply system of the city, which would be built with a cost of about Rs 90 crore. A life size statue of Dr BR Ambedkar was also unveiled at Uditnagar square by the Chief Minister.
Earlier, Patnaik had laid foundation stone of a hockey stadium at Bhedabahal area under Kutra block, which would be built at a cost of Rs 10 crore. Similarly, he also laid foundation stone of ITI Kutra and ITI Koira, besides addressing the gatherings. The Chief Minster was also felicitated by the Catholic Board of Education at Kutra for his Outlook award.
The Congress and BJP workers of Sundargarh district protested the visit of the Chief Minister to the district. Congress activists, under the leadership of District Congress Committee president Biren Senapati, staged a silent protest at Ispat Market square. About 100 cadres, including State BJP secretary Dhiren Senapaty, were arrested by Rourkela police, as a preventive measure, for the Chief Minister’s visit.