We are yet to do any meaningful planning for each of our Districts. Instead of avoiding a uniform approach in our development programme, our thrust should have been on harnessing the specialty of a District for its optimal development. For example, a place known for its unique tourist potential should not have been offered only a tiny tourist lodge as a part of a state plan scheme. We talk and write about Daringbadi and refer it as the Kashmir of Odisha; but we do not develop such a place for tourists in any meaningful manner. Whenever big investment has been made in backward regions of the state it has been only due to the compulsion of availability of natural resources in those areas. That explains why Rourkela, Sunabeda or Damanjodi developed. These places are hosts to major industries. We have, however,exhibited myopia while planning. This approach has led to wilting of even ancient urban centres like Sambalpur; Berhampur; Jeypore; Baleshwar. In such a cold approach to regional planning, underdeveloped places, despite hospitable climate and great natural endowment, continue to languish. If we continue with “business as usual” approach, we would only let obscurantism to flourish. This is unacceptable. Such an approach would only accentuate social divide on the basis of caste, religion and exploitation leading to strife. Picturesque places would turn safe hideouts for extremists.
Kandhamal District is rich in natural endowment but has
remained as one of the poorest in the country. It spreads over an area of 7654
sq kms; is larger than the state of Sikkim. It has a low population density of
only eighty per sq km. Its total population of six and half lakhs is larger
than the population of Sikkim. Only about 50,000 people live in urban centres.
Penetration of electricity has been modest and its use confined to a few
semi-urban centres. Only 23.5% of its total area is suitable for agricultural
exploitation. High land, suitable for horticultural activities, accounts for
over 82% of the agricultural land. Out of the 2515 villages of the district,
only 72 villages are reasonably big; each having a population of a thousand and
above. 208 villages have population varying between 500 and 1000. More than 85%
of the villages of the district are small ones, each having population of less
than 500. These villages being small ones are deprived of many benefits of
Bharat Nirman programmes on connectivity; electrification; national rural
health scheme and primary education. Unless this important issue is addressed
satisfactorily, the tribal families inhabiting these small villages would be
only sliding down on human development index. Large areas around Daringbadi and
G Udaigiri are ideal for floriculture where gladioli, tube rose and marigold
can be grown throughout the year. Most parts of the district offering ideal
agro- climatic conditions could have meaningful development in horticulture,
floriculture, and dairy and bring about employment opportunity for the entire
population. Unfortunately, a holistic and sustainable development-model in
these sectors has not been taken up so far. Grinding poverty therefore has been
continuing for generations
What I am now suggesting for Kandhamal has relevance for
other disadvantaged Districts as well. An intense dose of development impetus
would only enable the population to come out of this unacceptable syndrome of
acute deprivation. We should earmark about three hundred hectares of land near
Daringbadi or Belghar or Phulbani and develop it as the District Growth Hub
(DGH). We promote a Medical College; a Residential Public School of national
stature; a few good hotels including a star Hotel like the Mayfair Hotel in
Gangtok; a modern Hospital of a well known group and a few non polluting
industries in the DGH. We should promote construction of around a thousand
modern residential units in this zone. We need not worry on the issue of
accessibility of the DGH. Gangtok’s importance or attraction has not got
compromised in any manner even if it is accessed by a 125 km road from the
nearest airport at Bagdogra or from the nearest rail head at Siliguri. We need,
of course, to make the Bhubaneswar-Phulbani Highway a worthwhile four-lane
Highway. Government of India have the model of development of ultra mega power
projects. Haryana is developing Mohali close to Chandigarh. The model I have
indicated is somewhat similar. Along with this, we should have other
initiatives for the development of the District. These may include the
following.
We may prevail upon the Ministry of Defence to set up a large in-house agro-veterinary farm in the District for production and processing of fruits, milk and poultry for catering to the requirements of our armed forces. This farm should be able to provide job opportunities to many local youth and will also act as a model so that the local population takes to mixed farming on a large scale. The central government may set up a training institute of para military forces. The hilly terrain of the district provides ideal locations for such a facility. Establishment of a big paramilitary training institute with a large number of men in uniform supported by modern weapons and other equipment would act as a deterrent to the fundamentalists and extremists. The state should strive for securing from the central government fiscal concession like holiday on central excise for at least ten years on new industries in the areas of pharmaceutical products; floriculture and food processing. This would promote appropriate industrial activity in the District; create employment opportunities and expedite economic growth of the population. The District should secure a special dispensation for all its villages to be eligible for all programmes under Bharat Nirman. Connectivity should receive the highest priority for all the villages. Under the Sarva Sikshya Abhiyan, each primary school would normally have two rooms; but for this District, every primary school should have two more rooms with toilet and kitchen so that teachers live in the same campus. The school complex should be electrified.
We must take note of what is happening in some states like Gujarat where new investments in various sectors are just pouring in. We can also do it in Odisha as well, provided we think and act big and noble. I would suggest the Chief Secretary introduces an annual retreat of three days for all the thirty Collectors in a backward District so that they discuss freely with the Chief Secretary and come up with appropriate plans for the underdeveloped Districts and implementation of such plans. To start with, plans should be drawn up for all KBK Districts and the Districts of Kandhamal; Boudh and Deogarh. This would make the Collectors more creative and productive and make our planning and development process more District-centric. It will be a good idea to have the first retreat somewhere in Kandhamal District. Development of Kandhamal should be accepted as a worthwhile challenge by the state’s bureaucracy.
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21st December, 2012We may prevail upon the Ministry of Defence to set up a large in-house agro-veterinary farm in the District for production and processing of fruits, milk and poultry for catering to the requirements of our armed forces. This farm should be able to provide job opportunities to many local youth and will also act as a model so that the local population takes to mixed farming on a large scale. The central government may set up a training institute of para military forces. The hilly terrain of the district provides ideal locations for such a facility. Establishment of a big paramilitary training institute with a large number of men in uniform supported by modern weapons and other equipment would act as a deterrent to the fundamentalists and extremists. The state should strive for securing from the central government fiscal concession like holiday on central excise for at least ten years on new industries in the areas of pharmaceutical products; floriculture and food processing. This would promote appropriate industrial activity in the District; create employment opportunities and expedite economic growth of the population. The District should secure a special dispensation for all its villages to be eligible for all programmes under Bharat Nirman. Connectivity should receive the highest priority for all the villages. Under the Sarva Sikshya Abhiyan, each primary school would normally have two rooms; but for this District, every primary school should have two more rooms with toilet and kitchen so that teachers live in the same campus. The school complex should be electrified.
We must take note of what is happening in some states like Gujarat where new investments in various sectors are just pouring in. We can also do it in Odisha as well, provided we think and act big and noble. I would suggest the Chief Secretary introduces an annual retreat of three days for all the thirty Collectors in a backward District so that they discuss freely with the Chief Secretary and come up with appropriate plans for the underdeveloped Districts and implementation of such plans. To start with, plans should be drawn up for all KBK Districts and the Districts of Kandhamal; Boudh and Deogarh. This would make the Collectors more creative and productive and make our planning and development process more District-centric. It will be a good idea to have the first retreat somewhere in Kandhamal District. Development of Kandhamal should be accepted as a worthwhile challenge by the state’s bureaucracy.
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