Bhubaneswar: Identify and promote the local entrepreneurs in potential sectors of success, directed Sri Asit Tripathy, Chief Advisor to Hon’ble CM and Chairman Western Odisha Development Council (WODC). Sri Tripathy gave this direction while reviewing the progress of various developmental projects of Boudh and Sonepur districts today in the Collectorate conference hall of Boudh.
He asked the local officers to identify the youths with entrepreneurial talent and handhold them to start their ventures. He said, “Boudh district has promising and proven potential for horticulture, fishery, handloom, handicraft poultry, rice bran oil, layer farms and vegetable processing units. The local entrepreneurs could be linked with various bulk purchasers and online marketing platforms to sale their products at a profitable rate. Sri Tripathy also said, “WODC funds would be used for creating the deficit infrastructure in maintaining the supply chain in these sectors”.
The progress of the projects under the WODC fund was reviewed in the meeting. The major projects included the establishment of agro polytechnic institute at Boudh, construction of a cultural auditorium, construction of a new library in Boudh Panchayat college, piped water supply scheme in village Btamhanipali of Boudh block, children park at Khaliapali, Biju Patnaik stadium at Kantamal, improvement of Hrbanga-Dhalpur road, improvement Jagati village-Pherighat road, Tileswar-Ramgarh road and other road projects.
The review showed that so far 1616 projects of worth Rs.81.31 cr have been sanctioned for Boudh district under WODC fund. As of now, 1458 projects have been completed and 158 projects are in various phases of implementation. Around Rs.77 cr have been invested in the construction of these projects. Chairman Sri Tripathy directed to complete the projects within the scheduled time for avoiding any possible price escalation in cost of the projects. Similarly, around 1985 projects of worth around Rs.100 cr have been sanctioned under WODC fund in Sonepur districts. Against this, as of now, 1505 projects have been completed with an investment of around Rs. 84 cr, and, the balance 480 projects are in different phases of implementation.
Further, Sri Tripathy also reviewed what role private sector can play in the creation of new employment opportunities in primary sectors like agriculture and allied sectors. He advised the district administration of both the districts to invite more private sector investment in these sectors and provide them with all facilitating support to set up their units in these districts.
Collector Boudh Sri Lalatendu Mishra, Collector Sonepur Smt Manisha Banarjee, Superintendent of Police Boudh Sri V. Raghunath Rao, Chief Executive Officer WODC Sri S.K. Patel, Project Director Smt Babita Dalabehera along with senior officers of concerned departments participated in the review.
Before the review, Sri Tripathy inspected the arrangements done for the visit of tourists to the district museum at Boudh. Expressing satisfaction over the displays in the museum, Sri Tripathy said, “The museum is a link between past, present and future. It will help coming generations to take pride in their history and culture”. He also directed Collector Sri Lalatendu Mishra and museum officers to further develop the museum in coordination with INTACH and State Museum.
