Cuttack: Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Monday launched various development projects worth Rs 2556.13 crore in Cuttack and Khordha districts.
The Chief Minister visited the two districts to launch the distribution of smart health cards to beneficiaries covered under the Biju Swasthya Kalyan Yojana (BSKY).
During the visit to Cuttack, he inaugurated 40 projects worth Rs 93.28 crore and laid foundation for 95 projects worth Rs 1474.88 crore. Later, he visited Begunia of Khordha district, where he inaugurated 126 projects of Rs 85.53 crore and laid foundation stones for 406 projects of Rs 902.44 crore.
The projects spread over various sectors including roads, bridges, drainage, education, health, livelihood, irrigation, energy, women and child development.
Addressing a gathering at Baliyatra ground in Cuttack city, the Chief Minister said his government is taking steps for developing the SCB Medical College as a world-class health care institution. The medical college would be a milestone in the country’s healthcare sector in the coming days, he said.
Remembering Biswanath Pandit, eminent labour leader from Cuttack, Patnaik announced that the Biswanath Pandit Central Library would be redeveloped as a state-of-the-art library near the Puri-Angul bus stand in the city.
Similarly, at Begunia, the Chief Minister said Khordha was the land of the first freedom struggle. Saluting the brave Paikas who fought for the Odia people, he said, “We will continue our fight for the rights of the Odia people,” he said.
Notably, the Naveen Patnaik government is demanding the Centre to recognize ‘Paika rebellion’ as the first war of Indian Independence struggle. Recently, the State Assembly had adopted a resolution to recommend the Centre to declare the Paika Bidroha (Paika rebellion) of 1817 as the ‘first war of Independence’.
The Chief Minister has been launching the BSKY smart health card distribution program in various districts either visiting the district or through videoconferencing mode. So far, 26 out of 30 districts have joined the initiative.
