Devptal initiatives lagging behind in Rayagada: Review | Bhubaneswar News

Koraput: The slow pace of implementation of key development initiatives under Prime Minister’s JANMAN (PM-JANMAN) scheme and the Dharti Aaba campaign has come to light initiin the tribal-dominated Rayagada district.A review meeting chaired by district collector Parul Patwari on Tuesday to assess the implementation status of the two schemes, with a special emphasis on ensuring comprehensive coverage of benefits to PVTGs, revealed significant delays across housing, water supply, road connectivity and health infrastructure projects.According to official data presented during the meeting, only 2,450 out of 7,370 sanctioned rural housing units have been completed so far. In the area of piped water supply, only 89 of the targeted 235 habitations have been covered. Meanwhile, 15 minor road projects are currently under construction in micro-project areas with a deadline set for this Dec.The slow progress in constructing anganwadi centres under PM-JANMAN drew sharp criticism from the collector. The project administrator of ITDA Gunupur was directed to ensure timely delivery of construction materials, especially to remote areas, before the onset of the monsoon.“The officials concerned have been directed to ensure timely completion of the targets,” Patwari said. “All construction materials for anganwadi centres must reach remote areas before monsoon and the remaining houses should be completed in mission mode,” Patwari added.Progress under the PM-KISAN scheme was also found lacking, with only 1,229 of 10,178 targeted beneficiaries verified so far.In the health sector, the administration recommended integrating mobile medical units to organize regular health camps, particularly focusing on sickle cell screening and raising community awareness.The collector further instructed all block development officers to closely monitor project progress in their respective areas and expedite implementation. Departments were also advised to submit micro-level road proposals to enhance connectivity in tribal regions.In a move to boost education infrastructure, the administration approved the establishment of nine new hostels. The district education officer was tasked with preparing a block-wise hostel mapping plan for all PVTG areas and to submit proposals for additional hostels if needed.The collector emphasized the need for livelihood development through departmental convergence. Instructions were issued to map 104 revenue villages and promote economic activities through 12 approved Van Dhan Vikas Kendras and 18 multipurpose cooperative societies.“All departments have been instructed to submit village-wise micro-plans to ensure effective inter-departmental coordination and to promote livelihoods in micro-project areas,” the collector added.