Rourkela: The Chief Minister (CM) Naveen Patnaik Wednesday inaugurated the much awaited Rukura Medium Irrigation Project at Shivnathpur under Gurundia block of Sundargarh district.
“Dedicated Rukura Irrigation Project to farmers of Sundargarh district. Irrigation continues to be top priority for my Government. The commitment which I had made in 2014 for additional 10 lakh hectares of land to be irrigated will soon become a reality,” the CM tweeted after the inaugural programme.
Speaking on the occasion, the CM said his that Government has been laying thrust on expansion of irrigation coverage. During his tenure, the irrigation budget has been enhanced to a staggering Rs 10,200 crore from a paltry Rs 850 crore in 2000, he said adding that in the next five years, around Rs 75,000 crore would be invested in irrigation sector.
According to reports, the Rukura Medium Irrigatoin Project has been completed at a cost of around Rs 297 crore.
Similarly, Naveen also inaugurated around 10 projects worth Rs 368.73 crore and laid foundations for 20 road, bridge and rural piped water supply projects valued at about Rs 331 crore during his whirlwind tour of Bonai assembly constituency.
After distribution of assets and benefits to the beneficiaries of various welfare schemes, Naveen addressed a public meeting at RDD multi-purpose ground at Bonai.
He thanked the people for supporting his government He assured that the poor people of mining-affected Koida and Lahunipara block and the backward Gurundia block under Bonai assembly constituency would be covered under Biju Pucca Ghar Yojana soon.
The Chief Minister also highlighted the plight of Kendu leaf pluckers in the district. He assured support and spoke of his government’s initiative to help the Kendu leaf pluckers.
The BJD government is working towards the strengthening the agriculture sector, Naveen said adding that the Government is committed to double the income of farmers and ensure that they get the right price for their crops.
PNN
