Bhubaneswar: In a major push to strengthen rural infrastructure, the state government has unveiled a new initiative, Gramin Sampad, for creating durable public assets in villages across Odisha.

Under the new initiative, each panchayat is expected to receive around Rs 3 crore annually for development-related works, said the state government on Thursday.

The Rural Assets Programme seeks to provide villages with infrastructure and facilities comparable to those available in urban areas. Under the programme, the government plans to develop a range of model facilities, including kalyan mandaps (community halls), rural parks, rural hats (markets), playgrounds, ponds and cremation grounds.

The programme will follow a convergence-based funding model. Funds available under various Central and state government schemes and programmes, including BGBO, CFC, SFC, CSR, DMF and MLALAD under VB-G RAM G, will be pooled and utilised for the creation of rural assets.

According to the proposed funding structure, a model playground will receive an allocation of around Rs 65.75 lakh, while a model kalyan mandap will cost approximately Rs 49 lakh. Around Rs 34 lakh will be earmarked for ponds and water bodies, Rs 22 lakh for cremation grounds, Rs 20 lakh for rural parks and Rs 16.50 lakh for rural hats, added the state government.

The initiative is expected to improve access to community infrastructure, recreational facilities, local marketplaces and other essential public amenities in rural areas.

The state government is currently preparing a standard operating procedure (SOP) for implementation of the programme. The SOP is expected to lay down the guidelines for fund convergence, project selection, construction and execution of the proposed rural assets.

The initiative is being seen as a significant step towards creating better public infrastructure at the grassroots level and giving villages modern, well-planned community facilities.