Overview of the Rayagada District

Rayagada district is known as the most famous region of the Odisha state because of its longest human history. The district came into existence on the  2nd October 1992.

History

It has long and glorious historical records evident by copper plates, rock inscriptions as well as different coins, which clearly indicate the region was the centre of attraction in all ages. In the third century B.C., during the reign of Ashoka the Great, it was covered under Kalinga empire. The hilly track between river Languli and Prachi language as Bansadhara and Nagabali, as evident by Andhra Historical Journal XXVII edition at page 46, was famous for spices.

Another Bhojpur Rock inscription in Brahmi of Rastrik King Mandhata adds some facts about this region. Later, Rastriks were defeated by Kharvela, the only Aryan Emperor of Odisha, at the time of Samudra Gupta himself during the Chawpagada battle. The rock inscription of Allahbad inscribed by Mahamantri Harisena provides evidence to this effect. Later, the ruins of mud fort and historical idol of Mahakal Bhairab found at Champikota very near to Rayagada makes it clear that this is the ancient Champagada Fort. During Ganga Vansi and Surya Vansi Kings, it was under Dadarnab Dev of Gudari Kataka. A rock inscription found at Pataleswar temple in Brahmi script provides an evidence to this effect.

A subsequent literature found at Pataleswar temple speaks about the River Languli giving a supporting evidence to the various facts. This region went to Bahamanis when Mukund Dev was defeated at Gohera Tikiri in 1519. Then, it was under Nandapur Kingdom for brief period of 47 years. Biswambar Dev who was defeated and killed by Hasin Khan was perhaps the third king installed at Rayagada. Still, the Sati Kunda Goddess Majhi Ghariani and the mudfort around it speaks much about its evidence. In subsequent years it was under Bobilli, a Tahasil of Vijayanagaram. Later, during the English regime, Rayagada was covered under the Jeypore Zamindari, which continued till Independence.

Economy

District Planning Committe, Rayagada

The District Planning Committee at the level of every district has been constituted to consolidate the plans prepared by the Panchayats and the Municipalities in the district and to prepare a draft Development Plan for the district as a whole.

The District Planning Committee, Rayagada is the apex body of the district to approve the Perspective Plan and Comprehensive District Annual Plans, District Annual Plans under Biju KBK Plan, BRGF Plan and review the Plan expenditures of various schemes/programmes implemented in the district.

The District Planning Committee of the district consists of such number of members as specified in the ODPC Act, 1998 i.e., eighty percentum of the members shall be elected from amongst the elected members of the Zilla Parishad and the elected Councillors of the Municipalities/NACs in the district. A Minister in the Council Minister of the State shall be nominated by the Government who shall be the Chairperson and the Collector of the district who shall be the Member Secretary and two nos of members to be nominated by the Government from among the persons having knowledge in Planning, Agriculture, Economics, Irrigation, Education, Rural Development and Social Services. Besides, Hon’ble M.P and MLAs of the district are permanent invitees of the above committee.

Biju KBK Plan

With a view to continuing their increasing efforts as well as for maintaining the momentum gathered under the Revised Long Term Action Plan (RLTAP) and up-scaling the public investment in the Koraput-Bolangir-Kalahandi (KBK) region, the state Government have launched a new initiative, called “THE BIJU KBK PLAN” under state plan as a tribute to late Biju Pattnaik, former Chief Minister of Odisha who was the fast to articulate the need for long-term measures for development of the KBK region.

With a view to improving the quality of public investment and preparation of the District Action Plans under Biju KBK Plan, the Government have prioritized the following three major sectors namely: Bijili (i.e, village /rural electrification and street lighting), Sadak (i.e, construction of culverts, bridges and roads for improving inter-village and intra-village connectivity) and Pani (i.e. creation of irrigation and drinking water sources).However, other need based projects or programmes may also be undertaken under Biju KBK Plan depending on local demands.

Objectives of the Scheme

The main objectives of this programme are as under:

• Creating opportunity for economic, social and human development.
• Accelerating poverty reduction
• Improving the quality of the life of the people.
• Mobilizing and empowering the rural people.
• This Programme also fill up the critical gaps left uncovered under BRGF.

For more information, visit https://rayagada.nic.in/