Bhubaneswar: Bringing relief to the families displaced by the Army Air Defence College at Golabandha in Ganjam district in 1984, Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi today launched a special rehabilitation and resettlement (R&R) package worth ₹75.60 crore for them.

A total of 1,371 displaced families of Golabandha will be benefitted with the package.

During a programme held at Golabandha the Chief Minister made the announcement on the R&R package for the Golabandha displaced. 

He also distributed land records to 96 of the 112 families displaced by the Cheligada Medium Irrigation Project.

Addressing the gathering, the Chief Minister said the State government had taken steps to provide a permanent solution to the long-pending issue and ensure secure rights for the displaced families.

Details of package

Under the special package, each of the 1,371 eligible families will receive a one-time compensation of ₹5 lakh, amounting to ₹68.55 crore, through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) to support their economic rehabilitation.

An amount of ₹4.25 crore has also been allocated for housing assistance. The funds will be used to complete 998 incomplete houses and construct 10 new houses.

More than ₹2.80 crore has been sanctioned for infrastructure development in the new Kirtipur Colony. The works will include roads, streetlights, an Anganwadi centre, market complex, public toilets, a cyclone shelter and beach levelling for parking fishing boats.

For families displaced by the Cheligada project, rehabilitation is being undertaken at Santrapur in Digapahandi. Each of the 112 families is being provided 10 decimals of homestead land and two acres of agricultural land. Land records were distributed to 96 families during the programme, while the remaining beneficiaries will receive them soon.

Majhi said once the Cheligada project is completed by the end of next year, more than 6,000 hectares of land in Ganjam and Gajapati districts would receive irrigation benefits.

Highlighting the government's development plans for Ganjam, the Chief Minister spoke about initiatives related to the blue economy, renovation of the Arjipalli fishing harbour, establishment of 28 fish landing centres, expansion of Gopalpur Port and construction of a new mega port at Bahuda at an estimated cost of ₹21,500 crore.

He also said investments of more than ₹40,000 crore through 14 projects at the Gopalpur Industrial Park would create employment opportunities for over 18,000 young people.

Revenue and Disaster Management Minister Suresh Pujari said fulfilling people's aspirations remained a key priority of the government. 

Industries, Mines and Steel Minister Bibhuti Bhushan Jena said investments exceeding ₹40,000 crore were expected through 14 projects at the Gopalpur Industrial Park, generating employment for more than 18,000 people. 

MSME, Fisheries and Animal Resources Development Minister Gokulananda Mallik said the government was working to strengthen the marine economy through the renovation of the Arjipalli fishing harbour and establishment of 28 new fish landing centres. 

Several elected representatives and senior officials attended the programme.