Rayagada: With scores of villages in Rayagada still deprived of electricity, the district administration has focused on expeditious steps for rural electrification across the district. It has set a target to electrify all villages by December 2021.
Collector Saroj Kumar Mishra recently held a review meeting on the development projects of different departments in the district with the PD (DRDA) officials and all BDOs.
The officials deliberated on the progress and bottlenecks of the projects relating to drinking water, electricity, rural road connectivity, MGNREGS, Odisha Livelihood Mission, construction of Mission Shakti houses, school transformation, healthcare and sanitation.
As for rural electrification drive, the Collector has directed the staff of Southco and block officials to conduct a survey on the status of electrification in the villages and submit a report within seven days.
He also directed the officials concerned to initiate immediate steps so that electrification of all the villages that have been deprived so far is completed by December 31.
At the same time it was decided to supply electricity to all the houses that have been constructed under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana.
Given the difficulties faced by people during the Covid-19 pandemic, the administration has emphasised on the execution of MGNREGS projects on a priority basis. Under the rural job scheme, roads will be laid in 423 villages, which currently lack connectivity, within three months. The DDOs have been asked to ensure that the road connectivity is completed on time.
It was also decided that a park, a library, an SHG house, a playground and waste management centre will be set up in each panchayat. Besides, Mission Shakti houses will have provision for drinking water, toilets and electricity. These houses will be handed over to CDPOs by September 15.
The Collector also warned that stern action would be taken against the BDOs who would fail to ensure timely completion of the projects.
Tehsildars have been directed to provide land to the landless people. They will be provided with cluster houses on these lands.
PNN
