Bhubaneswar: December 21: Odisha Government will spend 1800 crore of rupees on 54 Mega Lift Irrigation Projects spreading 23 blocks of Sundargarh, Jharsuguda, Ganjam, Kalahandi and Nuapada district, this has been decided in the cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik. Speaking to Media, Water Resources Secretary P.K.Jena said, ‘The entire amount will be borne by the state government and NABARD and all must be completed within 30 months from the date of award of tender.’ Chief Secretary informed that, the works have already been allotted to different organisations. Out of 54, L&T will execute 28 lift irrigation points in Jharsuguda and Sundergarh district whereas Megha Engineering & Infrastructure Ltd and GVPR Engineering Ltd will execute 14 and 12 respectively in Ganjam, Nuapada and Kalahandi districts. The state government has decided to create an additional irrigation potential of 10 lakh hectares by 2018-19. Besides, Cabinet approved proposals on Odisha State Legal Services Cadre, Municipal Administration Cadre Rules, and proposal to increase minimum age limit for lecturers of Ayurvedic colleges to 40 years. Also Cabinet gives its nod to an amendment to Biju Gram Jyoti Yojana.
