Bhubaneswar: Chief minister Naveen Patnaik's pet Ama Gaon, Ama Bikash (our village, our development) programme that was launched on March 5, has reached 101 out of the 314 blocks.

Under this state-funded programme, the chief minister interacted with the panchayati raj representatives and villagers through video conferencing and sanction proposals instantly.

So far, 21,960 projects worth Rs 547 crore have been sanctioned by the chief minister under this programme.

Naveen on Tuesday sanctioned 1,419 projects proposed by 147 gram panchayats under six blocks worth Rs 34.45 crore.

Saying he had sanctioned projects sent by the villagers, the chief minister asked them: "Are you happy ?"

"The money is yours - of the people of Odisha. Please do well and complete the project fast," he told the villagers.

The programme aims at the all-round development of the villages and to reduce urban-rural divide. The chief minister hoped that this programme would help strengthen the rural infrastructure.

Ama Gaon, Ama Bikash Yojana was launched on the occasion of the birth anniversary of former chief minister Biju Patnaik, which is now celebrated as Panchayati Raj Divas.

Any developmental project, which does not fit into any existing schemes of the government scheme, can be funded under this programme. The project cost will be minimum Rs 1 lakh and maximum up to Rs 10 lakh.

The direct interaction programme with the villagers is being held at the secretariat twice or thrice a week. The programme is believed to have been launched keeping the coming general elections in view.

Congress and the BJP criticised the move saying that it was just an eye-wash to hoodwink the people ahead of the general elections.