The State Cabinet chaired by Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik gave its go-ahead to ‘Ama Jungle Yojna’, a plan for undertaking regeneration of forests over 2,60,000 hectares from 2016-17 to 2021-22
The State government will spend Rs 1170.02 crore for the scheme. “The main objectives of the scheme is to achieve sustainable forest management in the project area through forest restoration initiatives, along with providing income and livelihood opportunities to the forest dependent communities, so that the pressure on adjoining forests is relieved,” said Suresh Mohapatra, Forest and Environment Secretary, here on Friday.
Fund to the tune of Rs. 521 crore would be sourced from Compensatory Afforestation Management and Planning Authority (CAMPA), Rs. 285 crore from State plan, Rs 322 crore from Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act and rest from National Rural Livelihood Programme, Mr. Mohapatra said.
In another important decision, in order to remove various practical difficulties being faced in implementation of Odisha Protection of Interests of Depositors Act, 2011 and for providing more teeth to the legislation, the Cabinet had approved several amendment to the Act.
“The legislation will be made more stringent. Steps have been taken to remove confusion between Section 7 which provides for compounding of offences and Section-6 which stipulates punishment for offences. Section-7 is proposed to be omitted,” said R. Balakrishnan, Finance Secretary.
“Amendment of Section 6 is proposed to be made more penalizing by enhancing the quantum of fine for persons managing fraudulent financial establishments,” said Mr. Balakrishnan.
Giving priority in payment to small depositors, it is proposed to include the legal heirs of such depositor in case of his or her death. Small depositor has been defined as the one who has deposited not more than Rs.10000.
The State Cabinet also gave its nod to constitution of Agriculture Cabinet under chairmanship of Chief Minister for taking policy decisions regarding development of agriculture.

Source : the Hindu