Bhubaneswar: The state government on Wednesday decided to launch an irrigation scheme named after former chief minister Nabakrushna Choudhury - a gesture seen as a bid to dispel the impression that the BJD only promoted Biju Patnaik.
Incidentally, the birth anniversary of the leader, who had been the state's chief minister between 1950 and 1956 and known for, among others, championing the cause of Odia language, will be celebrated on Thursday.
However, this is not the government's first attempt to go beyond Biju Patnaik and be seen as more inclusive while naming projects. In the recent past, the government had named a few schemes after popular leaders outside the realm of the BJD. It had launched a lift irrigation scheme in the name of eminent freedom fighter Parbati Giri and a drinking water scheme in the name of revolutionary Buxi Jagabandhu, who had led the Paika rebellion.
Last month, the state government had launched Bargarh canal irrigation scheme in the name of eminent poet of west Odisha Gangadhar Meher.
Law minister Pratap Jena said the state cabinet approved the new scheme called Nabakrushna Choudhury Secha Unnayana Yojana, which would be implemented with an outlay of Rs 635 crore over a period of three years.
It would be funded from the state's own resources. The scheme will cover 46,296-hectare command area of 14 major and medium irrigation projects, while 284 minor irrigation projects would be revived. Besides, 8,719 hectares of new ayacut would be created through extension of canals of six major and medium projects.
The announcement of irrigation schemes is believed to be to placate the farmers, a major vote bank in the state. The state is facing farmer agitations at several parts following drought and pest attack. Incidents of farmer suicide are reported from various parts of the state.
The other major cabinet decision was to implement a World Bank-funded programme in 140 colleges and 11 universities for infrastructure development and capacity building at a cost of Rs 1,071 crore. It also approved the proposal for imposition of five percent value added tax (VAT) on rectified spirit and extra neutral alcohol, which is used for liquor production for human consumption.
Finance minister Sashi Bhusan Behera said the new taxation measure would generate an estimated Rs 4 crore to Rs 5 crore additional revenue. It was also decided to levy 5 per cent VAT for domestic and industrial use of natural gas. However, the use of natural gas in running the vehicle will attract 15 per cent VAT.
