Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik has taken significant steps to support both the agricultural and urban sectors in the state by releasing over Rs 933 crore to 46 lakh farmers under the Krushak Assistance for Livelihood and Income Augmentation (KALIA) scheme and launching the ‘AMA BHOOMI’ initiative for urban green development.
The financial aid distributed under the KALIA scheme aims to enhance the livelihood and income of farmers, with the initiative extending for an additional three years. The state government has announced plans to invest a total of Rs 6030 crore in the scheme. Furthermore, 18 lakh landless farming families have received an extra Rs 2000 for the current Kharif season, adding up to Rs 360 crores. The scope of the KALIA Scholarships has also been broadened, offering lifetime scholarships to children of farming families pursuing studies in national-level government and private institutions.
Parallel to these agricultural efforts, Chief Minister Patnaik inaugurated Ananda Bana at Shankarpur in Bhubaneswar and launched the ‘AMA BHOOMI’ initiative. This 5T initiative, undertaken by the Bhubaneswar Development Authority (BDA), focuses on the strategic creation and maintenance of open spaces to promote well-being, sustainability, and a resilient urban landscape in Odisha’s capital. The initiative aims to address the challenges of urbanization by enhancing the quality of life for residents through environmental interventions that combat urban heat island effects and increase green and blue spaces in the city.
The ‘AMA BHOOMI’ initiative outlines a comprehensive strategy for organizing parks and open spaces, involving the development of land through various models, establishing a special fund, and implementing an institutional mechanism. This policy will bridge the gap between the current state of open spaces and international standards, identifying parks, playfields, multipurpose grounds, blueways, and greenways for development.
For the effective implementation of the ‘AMA BHOOMI’ initiative, the BDA has adopted a two-pronged approach consisting of “hardware” components like earmarking of land and development of assets, and “software” components including the establishment of the AMA BHOOMI Division and the development of a user-friendly portal for administrative functions and public information. Comprehensive Facility Management Services (CFMS) and City Activation programs are also part of the initiative, aimed at ensuring efficient operation and maintenance of infrastructure and fostering community ownership and engagement.
These initiatives by Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik underscore the Odisha government’s commitment to supporting its agricultural sector and enhancing urban living conditions, emphasizing sustainable development and inclusive growth in the state.
