Bhubaneswar: The State government has issued guidelines for the newly launched scheme—’Bikashita Gaon Bikashita Odisha’ (BGBO) for taking up various sustainable developmental projects for inclusive growth in rural Odisha.
The BJP Government has announced the BGBO scheme replacing the ‘Ama Odisha Nabin Odisha’ (AONO) scheme launched by the previous BJD Government. The Government has made a budgetary provision of Rs 1,000 crore under the scheme for the financial year 2024-25.
Panchayati Raj and Drinking Water Secretary Girish S N shared the guidelines to Collectors.
As per the guidelines, the new scheme has the provision to take up various sustainable rural infrastructure developmental projects including roads, bridges, school buildings, civic amenities, sports, etc.
A maximum of 35 per cent of the total allotted funds can be utilised for road projects while 40 per cent of the allocation will be earmarked for blocks that come under the Integrated Tribal Development Agency (ITDA), it said.
The incomplete projects under the ‘Ama Odisha Nabin Odisha’ scheme in which a minimum 20 per cent expenditure has been incurred can also be taken up and will be completed under the new scheme, the Secretary said.
Maximum upto 5 percent of the total sanctioned amount can be utilized for new innovative projects for community use. Projects of similar nature taken up by PR & DW Department and other Departments can be dovetailed/converged under the Scheme. However, projects with estimates less than Rs 3 lakh cannot be taken up.
Funds will be allocated strategically, for priority projects and with provisions for underdeveloped and marginalized areas to ensure equitable development.
Funds will be allocated to Zilla Parishads and subsequently Zilla Parishad will allocate the funds to Blocks/ GPs on the basis of the population of the Block and GP respectively, Girish said.
Gram sabha will prepare a need-based five-year perspective plan by February 14 and on the basis of which, an annual action plan for each financial year will be prepared by the blocks by February 18.
The project submitted by the gram panchayats will be scrutinised by a technical committee at block level and the panchayat samiti will recommend the scrutinised project list to the district collector for final approval before February 20.
A dedicated web-based MIS and mobile app will also be developed for real-time monitoring of projects, he said.