Boudh, Jan 21: Identify and promote the local entrepreneurs in potential sectors of success, directed Asit Tripathy, Chief Advisor to Chief Minister and Chairman of Western Odisha Development Council (WODC).

Tripathy today reviewed the progress of various developmental projects of Boudh and Sonepur districts in the Collectorate conference hall of Boudh.

He asked the local officers to identify the youths with entrepreneurial talent and handhold them to start their ventures.

He said, “Boudh district has promising and proven potential for horticulture, fishery, handloom, handicraft poultry, rice bran oil, layer farms and vegetable processing units. The local entrepreneurs could be linked with various bulk purchasers and online marketing platforms to sale their products at profitable rate”.

WODC funds would be used for creating the deficit infrastructure in maintaining the supply chain in these sectors, he added. 

The progress of the projects under WODC fund was reviewed in the meeting. The major projects included establishment of agro polytechnic institute at Boudh, construction of cultural auditorium, construction of new library in Boudh Panchayat college, pipe water supply scheme in village Btamhanipali of Boudh block, children park at Khaliapali, Biju Patnaik stadium at Kantamal, improvement of Hrbanga-Dhalpur road, improvement Jagati village-Pherighat road, Tileswar-Ramgarh road and other road projects.

 Review showed that so far 1616 projects of worth Rs.81.31 cr have been sanctioned for Boudh district under WODC fund. As of now 1458 projects have been completed and 158 projects are in various phases of implementation. Around Rs.77 cr havs been invested in construction of these projects.

Tripathy directed to complete the projects within the scheduled time for avoiding any possible price escalation in cost of the projects. Similarly, around 1985 projects of worth around Rs.100 cr have been sanctioned under WODC fund in Sonepur districts. Against this as of now 1505 projects have been completed with investment of around Rs. 84 cr, and, the balance 480 projects are in different phases of implementation.