Rayagada: Giving a major fillip to infrastructure, industry and women-led growth in southern Odisha, Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Monday launched development projects worth nearly ₹600 crore in Rayagada district and announced that 80 per cent of jobs in upcoming industries would be reserved for local youth.
The Chief Minister unveiled the projects while attending the Subhadra Shakti Mela in Rayagada town. He inaugurated 22 projects involving an investment of ₹238 crore and laid the foundation stones for 87 more projects valued at over ₹366 crore, marking one of the largest development rollouts in the district in recent years.
The projects cover critical sectors such as roads and bridges, healthcare infrastructure, school development and women empowerment initiatives, aimed at ensuring inclusive and balanced growth across the district.
As part of the cultural and spiritual development initiatives, Majhi laid the foundation stone for the improvement and beautification of the Maa Majighariani Temple at a cost of ₹37 crore. Responding to demands from public representatives, he also announced that indoor stadiums would be constructed in all blocks of Rayagada district in the coming days.
Emphasising the government’s focus on strengthening social infrastructure, the Chief Minister said that education, healthcare and transportation facilities in Rayagada would be further upgraded. He added that the proposal to establish a medical college in the district is under active consideration.
Highlighting Rayagada’s progress in women empowerment, Majhi said the district has emerged as a model, with 1.52 lakh women organised into 12,783 self-help groups (SHGs), enabling sustainable livelihoods and economic self-reliance.
Addressing a gathering dominated by women beneficiaries, he said that during the 2025–26 financial year, loans worth around ₹200 crore had been disbursed to 4,217 SHGs in the district. In addition, revolving funds amounting to ₹14 crore were provided to 9,335 SHGs, while ₹53.14 crore was released as Community Investment Fund (CIF) to 164 Gram Panchayat Level Federations. Livelihood loans of ₹37.55 crore were also extended to 4,195 SHGs.
Referring to budgetary priorities, the Chief Minister said the Union Budget 2026–27 has allocated ₹5 lakh crore for the welfare of women and children. He also announced plans to establish self-help entrepreneurial marts to strengthen women’s participation in the grassroots economy.
On tribal development, Majhi noted that tribals constitute nearly one-fourth of Odisha’s population and said the state budget has made a provision of ₹68,881 crore for their education, health, livelihood, security and forest rights.
The Chief Minister also outlined major industrial investments proposed for Rayagada, stating that Hindalco plans to invest ₹15,000 crore to expand its existing operations. He added that the Vedanta Alumina Refinery project worth ₹25,000 crore and the proposed Utkal Alumina International project valued at ₹7,653 crore would significantly boost the district’s industrial landscape.
Directing officials to prioritise local employment, Majhi instructed that 80 per cent of jobs in these upcoming and expanding industries be reserved for local youths, underscoring the government’s commitment to inclusive industrialisation.
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