Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik would visit his home district Ganjam on Thursday to inaugurate a series of welfare schemes, sources here said.
Patnaik had visited the district three times in January and addressed a series of public meetings at Chhatrapur, Khallikote, Hinjili, Sanakhemundi and Kabisuryanagar besides inaugurating different populist measures keeping an eye on the coming general elections.
This time, it would perhaps be his last official visit to the district before the election dates are announced, feel political observers.Newly-appointed district Collector Prem Chandra Choudhury convened a preparatory meeting of all officials on Sunday to finalise the Chief Minister’s tour programme.
According to information, Patnaik would lay foundation-stone of some welfare scheme, particularly in the Brahmapur, Hinjili and Gopalpur Assembly constituencies.Since the tour programme is yet to be approved by the CM’s office, his proposed visit has been kept secret, sources said.
The programme includes laying of foundation-stone of a medical college proposed by the Tata Steel at Sithalapalli near Chhatrapur and a 200-bed eye hospital of Shankar Netralaya at Samarjhola near Hinjili, the sources said.
Meanwhile, a spokesperson of Sri Kanchi Peethadhipeetha told the media here on Monday that the Bhoomi Pooja of the eye hospital project would soon be held with the Chief Minister as the chief guest.
While `20 crore would be spent for building and other infrastructures, another `5 crore would be spent for purchase of sophisticated equipments for the hospital, he said, adding that some corporate houses have assured to provide necessary assistance after the Bhoomi Pooja.
“We are going to receive public donation for the project. Regarding Government assistance, only the Chief Minister can say about it. We are planning to start the building work in two to three months after the Bhoomi Pooja,” the spokesman said.