CM announces free smartphones for households in Maoist hotbed

Bhubaneswar, Nov 17 (IANS) In order to transform the Maoist hit Swabhiman Anchal (cut-off area) of Odisha's Malkangiri district, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Tuesday announced to provide smartphones free of cost to all households in the region.Interacting with the people of the area through videoconferencing, the Chief Minister also called upon Left-wing extremists (LWE) to shun violence and return to the mainstream and become part of developmental activities.He said Swabhiman Anchal is always in his heart and efforts will continue to make it a developed region.He launched smartphone distribution programme for families of Swabhiman Anchal.To take benefits of digital revolution to last mile and expedite social security schemes, three more 4G mobile towers will be installed taking the total to seven, informed Patnaik.He also announced several projects including 11 KV 3 phase line connection, construction of concrete roads, 78 km of paved roads and seven bridges with an investment of Rs 100 crore.Steps are being taken to boost income of farmers through cultivation, processing and branding of turmeric of Swabhiman Anchal, he added.A mega pipe drinking water supply project worth Rs 20 crore has started while construction of 250 tube wells have been completed.43 lift irrigation projects, 419 cluster deep bores to be completed with Rs 32crore and work in 82 Anganwadi Centres, health and sub centres would be completed soon, informed the Chief Minister.
--IANS cd/rt