DFID satisfied with development projects

BHUBANESWAR: The State Government would continue to get assistance for the Odisha Modernising Economy, Governance and Administrative Programme (OMEGA) and Odisha Health Sector Plan (OSHP), assured DFID on Thursday.  At a meeting, Chief Secretary BK Patnaik reviewed the DFID-assisted projects. The overseas agency is providing financial assistance to Odisha Tribal Empowerment and Livelihood Project (OTELP) and Western Odisha Rural Livelihood Project (WORLP).  The Government has so far utilised about `180 crore under OTELP and ` 261 crore under WORLP. Progress and achievements in both these programmes have been appreciated by the external evaluating agencies engaged by DFID. OMEGA estimated with an outlay of ` 142.50 crore aims at creating employment opportunities in non-farm sector, strengthening public finance management and increased access and impact of NREGS. One preliminary projection shows because of reformative activities and enabling policies of Government under OMEGA investment in Odisha is expected to cross ` 6 lakh crore by the end of the project period in 2015-16. State revenue is expected to increase by one third over baseline, yielding to projected increase in social sector allocation up to ` 1,300 crore. The project is expected to create a million jobs and 100 million man-days because of increased access to jobs after implementation of NREGS.  The reforms initiative will also strengthen PDS and access to food security. OHSP with an outlay of ` 629 crore is expected to increase nutritional status and health security. Expressing satisfaction over the performance of the State in the implementation of the livelihood and governance reforms programmes, the DFID representatives and the joint secretary, Department of Economic Affairs, Government of India, assured continued support to the state.  Development Commissioner RN Senapati, Finance Secretary Jugal Kishore Mohapatra,  Industries Secretary T Ramchandru, Housing and Urban Development Secretary Sourav Garg, Food Supplies and Consumer Welfare Secretary Madhusudan Padhi, Director of NRHM P Meherda, Women and Child Development Additonal Secretary Sujata Kartikeyan, country head of DFID Sam Sharpe, deputy head Emma Spicer along with other higher officials from the State, the Centre and DFID participated.