In the wake of depressing happenings like malnutrition-related deaths in Nagada and carrying of patients on shoulders and cots in tribal areas, the State Government has directed departments concerned to give top priority to rural connectively programme.
Chief Secretary AP Padhi issued a direction in this regard at the all secretaries meeting held here on Wednesday. It was decided to follow both space technology with GIS mapping and ground level survey for the purpose.
Rural Development Secretary Madhu Sudan Padhi presenting a road map on infrastructure suggested for preparation of a ‘master data base’ of villages and hamlets smooth execution of planning and programmes.
A committee was formed under the chairmanship of Development Commissioner R Balakrishnan with Principal Secretaries and Secretaries of departments like Rural Development, Forests and Environment and ST and SC Development and Chief Executive Officer of the Odisha Space Application Center for close monitoring of road connectivity.
Balakrishnan said the district level committees under the respective Collectors would look in to the ground truth of the data availed through remote sensing and determine the nature of the gap in connectivity.
The Chief Secretary directed to focus on road connectivity in the first phase and complete the identification of the unconnected villages within two to three months.
Balakrishnan said unconnected habitations in hilly tracks with terrain features should also be taken into consideration for establishing road connectivity.
Disposal of the applications received through e-abhijog was also stressed in the meeting.
General Administration Special Secretary Ashok Kumar Meena apprised that a total number of 34,613 grievances have been received through various departments and 60 per cent of them have been disposed of.