State launches ‘Ama Odisha Nabin Odisha’ scheme with Rs 50 lakh entitlement to each Gram Panchayat

Odisha Cabinet on Monday approved ‘Ama Odisha Nabin Odisha’ scheme with an allocation of Rs 4000 crore.

The scheme is among nine proposals that got the cabinet nod on Monday.

The State government has modified the guidelines of the earlier intervention "Ama Gaon Ama Bikash" by giving it a new dimension in the form of "Ama Odisha Nabin Odisha" under the State Plan to make it effective from the Financial Year 2023-24.

There is provision of Rs. 4000 Crore under the scheme from the State Budget. The scheme will cover all Gram Panchayats in each Block of the State with the entitlement of Rs. 50 lakh. The project cost will be between Rs 2.5 lakh to Rs10 lakh.

As per a government press release, the vision of the intervention is to transform the State into modern and aspirational Odisha retaining the essence, soul, and spirit of Jagannath culture and spreading it over the world.

“Odisha is the Land that gave Jagannath Culture to the world. A culture that is based on universal love, service, and equality. The main objective of the scheme is to provide missing links to the existing small and essential projects and the development of infrastructure. Also achieving empowerment of women, youth, bridging the critical gap in education, digital and sports facilities,” the press release stated.

The scheme envisages the creation of additional facilities for Mission Shakti Groups at GP level, bridging critical gaps at GP level to improve rural areas by way of providing urban facilities, development of sports facilities for the youth, providing banking facilities, improvement of digital access in terms of mobile connectivity, optical fibre connectivity, WiFi and internet connectivity.

The projects under the scheme will be suggested/ recommended by local people/community organizations/public representatives and other stakeholders. The consolidated GP-wise project list of the Block will be submitted to Panchayati Raj & Drinking Water Department with the signatures of the Collector and Zilla Parishad president of the district for due examination and approval of the Government.

The Panchayat Samiti will execute the work departmentally following due procedure. The Collector will be authorized to select any other agency/agencies for the execution of work.