Bhubaneswar, August 27: Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi targeted the opposition Biju Janata Dal (BJD) on Thursday. He accused the party of exploiting Ganjam district for 24 years for political gain while ignoring the plight of those displaced by various development projects, including the Army Air Defence College.
During the launch of a special rehabilitation and resettlement (R&R) package worth over ₹75.6 crore for the Nolia families displaced in 1984 for the Army Air Defence College, Chief Minister Majhi made these remarks.
This announcement, made at a special event in Golabanda, brings significant relief to 1,371 displaced Nolia families who have been waiting for decades for a resolution to their hardships.
At the event, the Chief Minister also distributed land documents (patta) to 96 out of 112 families displaced by the Cheligada medium irrigation project in the first phase.
Majhi stated that by the end of next year, the Cheligada project would be completed, bringing over 6,000 hectares of land under irrigation in Ganjam and Gajapati districts.
At the beginning of the program, women from Golabanda tied rakhi on the Chief Minister’s wrist, welcoming him in an emotional atmosphere. Following this, he personally handed over land pattas to the beneficiaries on stage.
Addressing the gathering, the Chief Minister said, “The struggle and sacrifice of Golabanda residents are immense. Our government has provided a permanent solution to a problem that has been ignored for four long decades since the land was handed over for the Army Air Defence College in 1984. While leaders representing Ganjam district over the last 24 years suppressed the voices of Nolia families, this issue has been prioritized since the arrival of the ‘double engine’ government.”
Notably, under the special package announced by the Chief Minister, 1,371 eligible families will receive a one-time compensation of ₹5 lakh each through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT), totaling ₹68.55 crore. Additionally, ₹4.25 crore has been approved for housing assistance, which will complete 998 unfinished homes and build 10 new ones. Over ₹2.80 crore has also been allocated for infrastructure development in the new Kirtipur colony.
In his address, Chief Minister Majhi highlighted several initiatives taken by the state government for the comprehensive development of Ganjam district.
Majhi remarked, “The opposition has treated Ganjam as their impregnable fortress for 24 years, focusing solely on politics while never understanding the suffering of the displaced. Even though this district has produced five Chief Ministers for the state, the voice of the poor Nolia community has never reached the corridors of power.”
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