Bhubaneswar: June 22: A State level Planning and Sensitization Workshop was organized by NABARD to sensitize the Implementing departments of the State Government about various aspects on loan under RIDF. Shashi Bhusan Behera, Hon’ble Minister, Finance and Excise, Government of Odisha inaugurated the Workshop. Tuhin Kanta Pandey, Principal Secretary, Finance Dept., Govt. of Odisha graced the occasion. Senior officials from various State Govt. Departments; and other dignitaries participated in the workshop.
Hon’ble Minister started in his address by saying that development of agriculture on which more than 75% of the people of our state depends upon rural infrastructure. Rural Infrastructure investments helps to raise the socio-economic status of the rural people through increased income levels and quality of life. Mentioning the best administrator award to our Hon’ble CM received recently and Odisha being no. 1 in the country in terms of RIDF loans, he said we should always try to be no. 1. Praising NABARD he said through NABARD’s support the State Govt. has excelled in quality, project implementation etc. Drawing a comparison between Odisha and other states such as Maharashtra, Gujarat, Punjab etc. he said the growth of agriculture in our State is more consistent and it would be better in time to come. He finally urge upon the implementing departments and NABARD to work in close coordination so that our State will continue to get optimum benefit.
In his message on the workshop, Tuhin Kanta Pandey said due to RIDF and effective project appraisal by NABARD the execution of projects has become better. He said RIDF is the cheapest fund for the State Government and any amount of assistance is welcome.
Dr. K. C. Panigrahi, CGM, Odisha Regional Office, delivered the keynote address on the occasion. He elaborated the 36 eligible activities of RIDF and highlighted the achievement of the last few years in the State. He apprised the participants that NABARD targets to sanction around Rs.2500 crore to the State Government of Odisha towards Rural Infrastructure Development during the Financial Year 2018-19. Stating that Odisha being the no. 1 state in India for loans sanctioned under RIDF, it’s important to maintain the position. He thanked the Planning & Convergence Department, Finance Department and all the Implementing Departments of the State for the cooperation extended towards execution of RIDF projects in the State.
