Bhubaneswar: Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik has doubled Budget Allocation for Western Odisha Development Council (WODC).
Mr.Patnaik reviewed the Western Odisha Development Council functioning on 15 February afternoon at 5.30PM and guided the Institution with his vision. Secretary to Chief Minister V K Pandian moderated the Meeting.
Chief Minister took several major decisions. The budget allocation to WODC has been doubled today.
The WODC was given an initial funding of Rs.3 crores in the year 1999-2000, which has remained at Rs.100 crores till 2020-21.
This will be enhanced to Rs.200 crores in the first phase in the financial year 2021-22.
Principal Advisor to Chief Minister and WODC Chairman Asit Tripathy, Development Commissioner Pradeep Jena, Agriculture Production Commissioner, Raj Kumar Sharma, Principal Secretary Finance and others were present in the Review Meeting.
Further enhancement will be considered subsequently, officials say.
Secondly, Chief Minister has instructed to open WODC offices in all the 10 districts as well as at Athamalik in Angul district for convenience of the people of Western Odisha.
The District Administrations will support the WODC in this endeavor.
The WODC shall champion the cause of major projects by review and monitoring for speedy implementation.
It is hoped that mega infrastructure projects like Biju Express Way will be growth drivers with large economic spin off in that region.
WODC funds will also be utilized to fill the critical supply chain gaps in promising sectors of economy in the Western Districts.
Take for example, key infrastructure required for paddy and paddy bi-products utilization in Sambalpur, Bargarh and Sonepur districts, Poultry and egg industry in Bolangir and inland fisheries in Kalahandi, dairy industry in Boudh and Sonepur will be taken up.
Similarly up-gradation of the handloom cluster in Bargarh, Sonepur and Boudh districts will be the priority of the WODC, pointed out Council Chief Mr.Tripathy after the Review Meeting.