Bhubaneswar:To ensure quality power supply in many rural and urban pockets of Odisha, the State Cabinet on Friday approved power infrastructure projects worth Rs 1796.73 crore.
The Cabinet has decided to execute Phase-IV of the Odisha Distribution System Strengthening Project (ODSSP), which was launched during the year 2013-14 in terms of installing 473 number of 33/11 KV primary substations and its associated lines across the State, said Chief Secretary SC Mahapatra.
Based on the load flow analysis carried out by the distribution companies, the State Transmission Utility OPTCL has come up with a proposal for installation of 99 number of 33/11 KV primary sub-stations and independent 33 KV lines of 812.05 km length with a total estimated cost of Rs 1796.73 crore, he said.
The Cabinet has given its approval for the project which will be implemented over a period of 3 years effective from financial year 2021-22.
The Cabinet, which approved 13 proposals today, has also approved another power infrastructure project to ensure power supply to mega lift irrigation points. The Government will implement 5 transmission projects worth Rs 259.43 crore in low voltage pockets in the State with 30 per cent (Rs 77.83 crore) equity support from its own resources.
The Cabinet has also decided on the Odisha Municipal Act, 1950 and Odisha Municipal Corporation Act, 2003 to comply with the Supreme Court’s order on reservation of OBC category people in elections. The Cabinet has decided to amend the provisions pertaining to reservation of seats/office of the chairperson, mayor in favour of backward class citizens (BCC) in the Odisha Municipal Act, 1950 and Odisha Municipal Corporation Act, 2003. The two laws will be amended in the form of ordinances.
The Government has also approved a tender of Rs 888.50 crore for implementation of redevelopment and expansion of SCB Medical College and Hospital, Cuttack under Phase I. The work has been awarded for construction of residential accommodation (staff quarters & hostels) and allied infrastructure. The work is targeted for completion within a period of two years.
Similarly, three irrigation projects also got the nod from Cabinet today.
Tender of Rs 443.21 crore has been approved for the construction of underground pipeline irrigation system (gravity flow) of Rengali Right Irrigation Project (Phase-I) in Dhenkanal & Cuttack districts. Tender of Rs 257.46 crore has been approved for construction of the distribution system in Balasore district while another tender of Rs126.46 crore was approved for Sandul barrage project in Kalahandi district.
The Cabinet decided to regularize 3328 MLE Sikshya Sahayaks, who were recruited from the tribal candidates of 17 districts having requisite qualification during the year 2013 under Samagra Shikshya.