Bhubaneswar: The state Cabinet has approved 11 proposals including one for the revival of old irrigation projects, enhancement of compensation for the families of those killed by wild animals and reduction of VAT on natural gas for domestic and industrial purposes. The decisions were taken at a Cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik.
The Cabinet approved a proposal of the Water Resources Department to launch a new irrigation scheme in the name of former Chief Minister Nabakrushna Choudhury to extend irrigation to around 55,000 hectares.
The scheme named ‘Nabakrushna Choudhury Secha Unnayan Yojana’ will be implemented over three years at a cost of `635 crore. It will be funded from the state’s own resources,” said Health and Law minister Pratap Jena after the meeting at the Secretariat.
He said that under this scheme irrigation facilities in the command area of 14 major and medium irrigation projects and 284 minor irrigation projects spread over 46,296 hectares will be revived. It will also create 8,719 hectares of new ayacut area by extending the canals of six major and medium irrigation projects.
A proposal of the Water Resources Department for the early completion of the tender process for works worth `6,000 crore to be taken up in 2018-19 fiscal was also approved.
“The tender process normally takes six months from invitation of tender to awarding contracts and the money allotted in the first half of the financial year is not fully utilised. The new move will help the department to prepare a better work plan and manage proper expenditure of the budget,” said Water Resources Department Secretary PK Jena.
The Cabinet also gave its nod to a proposal of the forest and environment department to enhance the existing rate of compassionate aid given to families of the deceased in wild animal attacks from Rs 3 lakh to Rs 4 lakh.
As there are several cases of attacks on sheep and goats by jackals and hyenas, the government has included them too in the wild animal list, and families of those who are killed by these animals will also get the same revised compassionate grant.
Besides, in the case of deaths of sheep and goat due to wild animal attacks the concerned person will get a compensation of `2000, while for the death of a lamb the aid will be `750. For the Wildlife (Protection) Orissa Rules 1974 will be amended, the minister said.
Meanwhile, among the 11 proposals there were also two proposals of the finance department on exemption of VAT on Natural Gas for domestic and industrial use and the levy of five per cent VAT on the raw materials – rectified spirit (RS) or Extra Neutral Alcohol (ENA) – required for the production of alcohol for human consumption. Finance Minister Shashibhusan Behera said the VAT on the use of Natural Gas for domestic use, including on its piped supply to households, will be brought down to five per cent from the existing 15 per cent.
Besides, VAT has also been reduced from 15 per cent to five per cent on the use of Natural Gas for industrial purposes. However, for use in automobiles the VAT rate will remain at the existing 15 per cent.
On the other hand, the government will levy an additional five per cent VAT on RS and ENA. However, this will not affect the rates of foreign or country liquor, excise department officials said. Both the move will help the government get an additional revenue of `9 crore per annum.
ULBs: Reservation only for single term
Bhubaneswar: The cabinet Tuesday approved a proposal to amend the Orissa Municipal Act 1950 (Orissa Act 23 of 1950) and the Orissa Municipal Act 2003 (Orissa Act 11 of 2003) to change the reservation system for the seats of councilors/cooperators and office of the chairpersons/mayors of urban local bodies (ULBs).
The move is significant in view of the coming urban polls in the state that may take place anytime between 2018 and 2019. As per existing provisions of these Acts, the rotation of reservation of seats and offices of the ULBs for SC, ST, Backward Class and women is done for two elections to these civic bodies. However, the Cabinet decided that this will be made single term and the rotation of reservation will take place in every election to attract more candidates to the elections and to the decision making process of local self government bodies.
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