Chhatrapur (Ganjam): In a historic step, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik launchedMondaythe ambitious slum-title deeds project that aims at according land rights to urban slum dwellers. He also distributed pattas (land certificates) to as many as 2,000 slum dwellers.
The event was held at the local stadium here. Later, the CM unveiled the Odisha Liveable Habitat Mission that would benefit as many as 10 lakh people.
Attending the state-level land rights distribution ceremony with the CM was the Tata Trusts Chairman Ratan N Tata. The state government had signed an MoU with the Tata Trusts to undertake a field survey for providing land rights to slum dwellers. As a first step, the government has identified about 2.5lakh urban slum dwellers with the help of Tata Trusts.
The chief minister said, “Today, Odisha has created history and emerged as a model state for others in according land rights to urban slum dwellers. Keeping in view the interests of poor slum dwellers, I have taken such a decision. This will empower the poor and help them lead a dignified life.”
In his address, Ratan N Tata said, “Odisha is undertaking a special initiative of giving entitlements to over one million slum dwellers. They led a life of uncertainty. I welcome such an historic step of chief minster Naveen Patnaik. This is a far-reaching scheme. I wish the CM and the government of Odisha best success in making the memorable scheme a reality.”
Among others present were British architect Norman Robert Foster and his wife, as also the housing and urban development minister Niranjan Pujari, food supplies minister Surya Narayan Patro and senior government officials.
