Bhubaneswar: The Odisha government on Thursday reviewed the progress of projects being implemented under the Rural Infrastructure Development Fund (RIDF) and urged departments to speed up execution and propose more initiatives under various low-cost funding mechanisms.
The third meeting of the High Power Committee (HPC) on RIDF for the financial year 2025–26 was held at Lok Seva Bhawan under the chairmanship of Development Commissioner-cum-Additional Chief Secretary Deoranjan Kumar Singh.
Senior officials who attended the meeting included Principal Secretary, Finance Department Sanjeeb Kumar Mishra; Principal Secretary, Works Department Sanjay Kumar Singh; Principal Secretary, Water Resources Department Subha Sarma; Commissioner-cum-Secretary, Agriculture & Farmers’ Empowerment Department Sachin Ramachandra Jadhav; Commissioner-cum-Secretary, Rural Development Department Yamini Sarangi; Commissioner-cum-Secretary, MSME Department Rashmita Panda; Commissioner-cum-Secretary, Fisheries & Animal Resources Development Department Prem Chandra Chaudhary; and Chief General Manager of National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) Vinod Arya, among others.
During the meeting, Singh reviewed the progress and achievements of RIDF projects being implemented by different departments and emphasised the need to accelerate the execution of ongoing works. Departments were also asked to submit reimbursement claims within the stipulated time frame to ensure smooth fund flow.
Considering Odisha’s consistent performance in implementing RIDF projects, the state government urged National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development to sanction additional projects for the state during the current financial year.
The High Power Committee also advised departments to explore funding opportunities under other low-cost financial instruments supported by NABARD.
The Agriculture & Farmers’ Empowerment Department was asked to submit new project proposals under the Micro Irrigation Fund (MIF), while the Fisheries & Animal Resources Development Department was directed to propose projects under the Fisheries and Aquaculture Infrastructure Development Fund (FIDF).
Similarly, the MSME Department, Agriculture & FE Department and F&ARD Department were asked to prepare and submit proposals for funding under the Food Processing Fund (FPF).
Officials said the focus on timely implementation and diversification of funding sources would help accelerate rural infrastructure development across the state.
