Odisha CM Launches Programme To Provide Land Rights To Slum Dwellers

Bhubaneswar: Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik today launched the land rights program for the slum dwellers in five municipal corporations’ areas.

Attending a special program organised at the local KiiT Convention Hall, the Chief Minister today launched many important programs for the development of the slums in the state.

Drone survey has been started to give land rights to the residents in five municipal corporations. Tata Steel Foundation will provide technical support for this. An MoU was signed between Tata Steel Foundation and JAGA Mission for this program in the presence of the Chief Minister.

On this occasion, the Chief Minister inaugurated 707 Biju Adarsh Colonies in 33 urban areas of the state and announced that Hinjilicut and Digapahandi have got a new status of being totally slum-free cities from today. Expressing that it is a matter of great happiness for him personally, the Chief Minister said that Biju Adarsh Colony is being established by providing basic facilities to the slum areas along with land rights. The Chief Minister announced that by December 2023, all the slums in the state will be converted into model colonies and the entire state will be slum-free.

The Chief Minister said that our JAGA mission program has gained recognition across the globe. The Government of India has also given awards for this innovative idea. The focus of this mission is People first. Till date, 1 lakh 70 thousand families of slum areas of 105 cities of the state have been given land rights under JAGA Mission. He announced that land rights will be given to two and a half lakh slum families of the state by December 2023.

Describing the Jaga Mission as a spiritual journey, which started in 2017, the Chief Minister said that this journey has brought us much success and satisfaction so far.

Stating that Basti Development Unions have an important role in the development of slums, the Chief Minister said that we have recognized these unions as the fourth union of the government and have given them the opportunity to be partners in the development and governance system. Basti Development Associations will manage the Biju Adarsh Colonies. The Chief Minister said that provision has been made to provide 25 percent of the municipal budget to these unions for the development of infrastructure in the slums.

The Chief Minister said that the state government has started a pilot program to identify the causes of slums and prevent them so that the cities remain slum-free.

The Chief Minister said that the slum development program will play an important role in providing equal rights and justice to the urban poor. “Our spiritual journey will continue to play its role in bringing happiness to the lives of the 17 lakh slum residents of the state.

Housing and Urban Development Minister Mrs. Usha Devi participated in the program and praised the vision of the Chief Minister for the development of the cities of the state, especially the slums. She said that such an initiative is unique in the whole country.

Principal Secretary of Housing and Urban Development Department Mr. G. Mathivathanan delivered the welcome speech and Director Mr. Sangramjit Nayak proposed vote of thanks. Ministers, MPs, MLAs, Mayors and Municipal Council Chairpersons of different urban areas were present in the program.