Chief Minister inaugurates Subhadra Shaktimela in Rayagada,
Declares no NOC to industries without 80% local employment & a medical college in the pipeline
Dr.Badal Tah,Odishabarta
Rayagada, February 2: “Rayagada district has today become an example for the entire state in the field of women empowerment. More than 1.52 lakh women are organized through 12,783 SHGs in this district and are creating a bright future for themselves. Where there was a lack of opportunities earlier, new doors of possibilities have opened today due to the active participation of women”, said Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi during inauguration of Subhadra Shakti Mela last Monday.
He launched 109 projects worth over Rs 600 crores for the district including Rs 37 crores for the for the improvement and beautification of Maa Majighariani Temple. Out of this, 22 projects worth Rs. 238 crores were inaugurated and the foundation stones of 87 projects worth over Rs. 366 crores were laid. These projects include many infrastructure development projects such as roads, bridges, healthcare, schools, and women empowerment. Chief Minister also said that as per the demands of the district MLAs and local leaders, the work of indoor stadiums will start soon in all the blocks of the district, education, health, transportation system will be strengthened and the proposal for setting up a medical college in Rayagada is pending with the government.
There are industrial establishments like Utkal Alumina, Aditya Alumina, IMFA, JK Paper Mill, LPG bottling plant, etc in the mining-rich land of Rayagada. CM said that due to the strong railway infrastructure, Rayagada region would soon become a modern industrial hub. Hindalco is going to expand its plant with an investment of Rs. 15,000 crores. Vedanta Alumina Refinery with an investment of Rs 25,000 crore, Utkal Alumina International with an investment of Rs 7,653 crore are going to be set up in Rayagada.
Apart from these, more industries in other sectors are going to be set up. Through these industries, ample employment opportunities will be created. Chief Minister emphatically said that no NOC(No Objection Certificate) will be issued to industries, which do not employ 80% of local people in their companies. He said that industries are the pillars of prosperity.
Only if the local youth get employment, the path to prosperity will be paved. Where there is mining, water, human resources and industrial infrastructure, if the local youth do not get employment, then who else will !.
Addressing the present Nari Shakti, the Chief Minister said that in the financial year 2025-26, loans worth about Rs 200 crores have been provided to 4217 SHGs in Rayagada district. Revolving funds of Rs 14 crores have beenprovided to 9,335 SHGs in the district, Community Investment Fund (CIF) of Rs 53.14 crores has been provided to 164 GPLFs and loans of Rs 37.55 crores have been provided to 4195 SHGs for taking forward livelihood programs.
He told about the artistic acumen of the district like Dangaria Kandha Shawl-Kapda Gunda and Lanjia Saura painting Idital, both of which have received GI tag. They need to be boosted economically and socially. He reminisced the brevity of tribals of Binispur, who fought with Britishers and immense contribution of Late Biswanath Pattanaik and Shanti Devi.
Rayagada MLA Kadraka Apalaswami, Bissam-Cuttack MLA Nilamadhab Hikaka, Gunupur MLA Satyajit Gamang spoke briefly on the occasion. They expressed hope that Rayagada district will develop further under the leadership of the Chief Minister in the coming days. Kadraka even went on to say about availability 506 acres retrieved land from JSCo and other facilities conducive for establishing a medical college in the district.
District Collector Shri Ashutosh Kulkarni delivered the welcome speech and Chief Development–cum-Executive Officer , Zilla Parishad Akshay Kumar Khemundu proposed the vote of thanks. Necessary and special arrangements to keep law & order were made by police led by SP Swathy Kumar.
