Naveen Patnaik reviews progress in Kandhamal district

Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Thursday took a review meeting on the developmental steps taken by administration for the economic growth of locals. He asked the Kandhamal district administration to expedite the implementation of the special development package launched in the district in the aftermath of communal riot.

The Chief Minister was informed by the officials that the district has been peaceful for the last 18 months with the National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme being a success. Patnaik also took review of the implementation of the special package that he had announced for the riot victims. Chief Minister is reportedly satisfied with progress. NREGS has been a big success in Kandhamal.

Besides identifying 135 cases of fake caste (scheduled tribe) certificates, the administration distributed about 16,000 acre to tribals living in forest areas. “About 30,000 acre of forest land right will be distributed to tribals within next two months,” Collector Krishna Kumar said after attending the review meeting. He further said that ninety per cent of restoration work was complete in riot affected areas.