Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik reviewed the implementation of the BJD’s 2014 poll promises at a Council of Ministers meeting held here on Tuesday. The Council of Ministers’ meeting was stated to be the last one before the forthcoming elections.
Patnaik emphasised on the Krushak Assistance for Livelihood and Income Augmentation (KALIA) scheme, which has earned accolades from different quarters. During the last 60 days, financial assistance to the tune of Rs 1,600 crore has been disbursed to more than 32 lakh small and marginal farmers and landless agricultural labourers through direct benefit transfer. On Tuesday, the Government also transferred financial assistance to another 4.8 lakh beneficiaries to their bank accounts. The second instalment of Rs 5,000 each would be released on April 1 (Utkal Divas).
More than 20 lakh pucca houses were constructed and irrigation facilities created for 10 lakh hectares of additional irrigational potential. The State Food Security Scheme was implemented to provide food security of all BPL people. To empower youths, the Govt is providing education loan at 1-per cent interest rage and career counselling centres have been opened in universities and colleges.
The Government has provided direct and indirect employment opportunities to 12 lakh youths, out of which 1.12 lakh are in the Government sector. Through the Biju Swasthya Kalyan Yojana, the Government is providing up to Rs 5 lakh health cover to all and Rs 7 lakh in case of women. About 70,000 students are now availing scholarships.
“We are continuing with special initiatives for KBK districts. While the Koraput and Balangir Medical Colleges are functional, establishment of another medical college in Kalahandi is underway,” Patnaik said.
Stating that his Government has fulfilled almost all the electoral promises, Patnaik thanked all those involved in the implementation process. “With the blessings of Lord Jagannath, I will keep working to build a new Odisha,” he said.