This was decided at a highlevel meeting presided over by Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik at the Secretariat here today. This will tackle the problem of growing number of slum-dwellers as houses will be provided to low income groups at a minimum interest rate.

Night shelters will also be set up in Bhubaneswar, Cuttack, Berhampur, Rourkela and Puri as a large number of people in these urban centres spend their nights in the open.

Government offices in the district headquarter towns will also be brought under one roof. Now offices of different departments are scattered in district headquarter towns.

More buildings will be available for other purposes and this will also save a lot of money which is spent on rents for offices.

Establishment of medical colleges in the private sector was also discussed at the meeting. It was proposed that hospitals with more number of beds in some of the backward areas can be converted into medical colleges with the participation of private sector.

Increasing employment potential in rural areas to youths by imparting them training in driving was discussed. It was proposed that driving schools will be set up in the district headquarter towns by reputed companies including the Tatas, Ashok Leyland and Maruti.

Besides driving, training on maintenance of vehicles will also be imparted in these schools.

Proposal to construct multiplexes in some of the gram panchayat headquarters was discussed. The multiplexes will have video parlours and at least 40 shops. The State Government will provide only infrastructural support for these proposed projects while construction and other responsibilities will be taken up by private parties.

Planning and Coordination Minister AU Singhdeo, Development Commissioner SP Nanda, Principal Secretary to the Chief Minister Bijay Patnaik attended.