Prime Minister Narendra Modi reviewed implementation of various ‘progressive projects’ like Amrut Yojana, PDS and railway projects in the State with Chief Secretary AP Padhi through a videoconferencing on Friday.
Padhi told the PM that Amrut Yojana is being implemented in nine cities, Bhubaneswar, Cuttack, Brahmapur, Rourkela, Sambalpur, Puri, Baripada, Baleswar and Bhadrak. Out of sanctioned 193 projects, work orders have been issued in 167 projects and tender process is on for the rest ones.
While 27 projects have been completed, 59 projects would be completed by June-end. The Union Government and the State Government would share the sanctioned amount of Rs 1,599 equally.
Regarding PDS, Padhi informed that 86, 81,646 families have been covered under the National Food Security Act. The whole supply system and all ration cards have been computerised. By now, 93 per cent of ration cards have been Aadhaar-linked. In procurement of paddy, digital payment of about Rs 7,500 is being made annually. But digital payment has not been possible due to lack of internet in many areas, Padhi told the PM.
Construction of 3 rd and 4 th rail lines between Budhapanka and Shala village was discussed. The two lines are being constructed in the 170-km project in view of transportation of minerals increasing by the day. While 84.70 hectares of land are required, works are going on 13.70 hectares of Government land. Padhi suggested to the PM that works can be expedited if rest 71 hectares are purchased directly from the land owners.
The Prime Minister expressed his satisfaction and accepted Padhi’s proposal of purchase of land, said an official release.
Among others, Food Supplies and Consumer Welfare Secretary Vir Viram Yadav, Commerce and Transport Secretary G Srinivas, Revenue and Disaster Management Secretary Dr Chandra Sekhar Kumar and Housing and Urban Development Secretary G Mathivathanan were present.