As suggested by the Supreme Court of India, a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) named as Lanjigarh Project Area Development Foundation (LPADF), has been formed with the Orissa government, Sterlite Industries India Ltd (SIIL) and Orissa Mining Corporation (OMC) as stakeholders. It will initiate programmes for uplift of Kutia Kondh and Dongria Kondh community on priority basis.
In the SPV, the Orissa government and its agency OMC have 26 percent and 25 per cent stake respectively while the rest 49 per cent is vested with SIIL. The first meeting of the board of directors of the SPV was held in the office of the Revenue Divisional Commissioner (RDC), Berhampur yesterday.
It was decided to take up developmental projects in the field of health, education, livelihood and infrastructure in both Kalahandi and Rayagada districts. Projects worth Rs 12.5 crore were discussed and approved by the Board of the Directors.
The major projects approved are upgradation of Lanjigarh hospital, water supply in Lanjigarh and Biswanathpur, upgradation of tribal school at Lanjigarh, bridge and road construction, malaria eradication program in Lanjigarh, development of girls’ school and college at Lanjigarh.
The Hyderabad based National Institute of Rural Development (NIRD) has been shortlisted for taking up the need assessment study in the tribal areas which is expected to help in formulating effective development interventions.
Though the Foundation will operate from Lanjigarh, it will have offices at district collectors’ office in Kalahandi and Rayagada on a temporary basis.