Odisha Plus Bureau
On the second day of their two-day visit to Sundargarh district, Principal Secretary, Steel and Mines Department and Chairman, Odisha Mining Corporation (OMC) Shri Deoranjan Kumar Singh and the Managing Director of OMC, Shri Balwant Singh participated in a Community Outreach Programme at Lahunipara block on Friday.
At the special programme held in Ranta village of Bhutuda Gram Panchayat, the high-level officials dedicated 28 public welfare projects and laid foundation stone for another 12 projects. All these projects, in Koira and Lahunipara blocks, are being developed with financial support from the Sundargarh District Mineral Foundation (DMF), Fifth State Finance Commission and OMC.
These projects include the construction of roads for better connectivity, infrastructural development, modern Aanganwadi Kendras, electric sub-stations, market complex, construction of dining halls and toilets at Sevashram schools.
Addressing the gathering, Shri Deoranjan Kumar Singh, Principal Secy Steel & Mines Dept, GoO and Chairman OMC stated, “The state government has been giving importance for the overall development of people in mining affected areas. Education, Health, Livelihood and Drinking Water are being given priority. Various welfare projects are being given shape with the support of DMF & OMC funds”.
At the programme, the officials distributed safety kits to labourers, mining and industrial workers engaged in different mines and industries at Sundargarh. The safety kits are being provided to the workers using the funds of the District Mineral Foundation, DMF Sundargarh.
“Various welfare programmes are presently underway in the mining affected areas in the state including Sundargarh district. Priority is being given to spread the benefit of these programmes to the people in mining affected areas. Steps are being taken to provide quality education to the children in these areas”, said MD OMC Shri Balwant Singh.
Players from six local hockey teams and five football teams were also given away sports kits. Thirty-three eligible beneficiaries were handed over keys of their newly constructed houses, while another group of beneficiaries were given pension, under the Madhubabu Pension Scheme, at the programme.
Sundargarh Collector Shri Nikhil Pavan Kalyan gave the welcome address at the outset of the programme, while BDO Lahunipada Shri Dhanai Charan Tudu proposed the vote of thanks.
Hon’ble MLA Bonai Shri Lakshman Munda, SP Rourkela Shri Mukesh Kumar Bhamoo, Block Chairman Lahunipada Ms. Sukamati Naik, Block Chairman Koira Shri Suresh Naik, Sub Collector Bonai Shri Suranjan Sahoo, PA ITDA Bonai Shri Lalat Kumar Luha, DFO Bonai Shri Sanath Kumar N. and senior officials of the district and DMF were present on the occasion.
Earlier, the visiting senior OMC officials were accorded a traditional welcome by the locals with the beating of drums and dance performance.
On the first day of their tour on Thursday, Chairman OMC Shri Deoranjan Kumar Singh and Managing Director Shri Balwant Singh had attended a Community Outreach Programme at the Industrial Training Centre (ITI) in Koira where they flagged off services of two buses for the smooth commute of students at the centre.
Along with the introduction of bus service, the construction of hostels for the students (boys and girls) and quarters for the staff as well as the principal are presently underway. The District Mineral Foundation (DMF) is extending financial support for these initiatives, apart from footing the expenses of the various equipments necessary for practical classes at the institution.
The top officials also interacted with the Women Self Help Group (WSHG) volunteers. The discussions centred around how women are becoming self-dependent by starting small scale private enterprises like manufacturing LED bulbs, noodles, phenyl, sal leaf plates and mushroom farming.
Land Rights (Patta) were handed over to 9 landless beneficiaries under the Vasundhara scheme and to the transformed High Schools at Chordhara and Badbalijore, respectively under the 5T initiative. Moreover, stipend was given to beneficiaries under various state social security schemes.