MANUAL-1 

Particulars of Organization, Functions & Duties

[Section-4 (1) (b) (i)]

1. Objective/ Purpose of the Public Authority:

     The primary object of the ITDA is to implement the welfare programmes in order to improve the Socio-economic condition of the Tribal. The Programmes and Schemes implemented in the Sub-plan areas are grouped under three categories such as:

i) Income Generating Schemes.
ii) Infrastructure Development Incidental to such Schemes.
iii) Educational Development.

     The Tribal Sub-Plan strategy is to implement the result oriented and purposeful program for Socio-economic Development of the Tribal depending on the available resources i.e. Sand and Water owned by the Peoples, Emphasize in Land Based Programs, Providing minimum Communication Facilities, Education, Drinking water and Shelter.

2. Mission/ Vision Statement of the Public Authority:

To serve the downtrodden Tribal Community of TSP Areas.

3. Brief History of the Public Authority and Context off its Formation:

a) Origin and Historical Background:

     The whole  district of Keonjhar was a princely state before its merger with Odisha. The early history of the State is not adequately known. It was most probably a part of the old Khijjinga territory with headquarters at Khijjinga Kota, identified with modern Khiching. It became a separate state with Jyoti Bhanja as its ruling chief sometime during the first half of the 12th century A.D. The then State of Keonjhar comprised only the northern half of the modern district for a long time prior to the installation of Jyoti Bhanja as King. During the latter part of the 15th century the southern half was occupied by King Govinda Bhanja under whose rule Keonjhar was extended from Singbhum in the north to Sukinda(a Zamindari in Cuttack district) in the South and from Mayurbhanj in the East to the borders of the States of Bonai, Pallahara and Anugul in the West. During the rule of Pratap Balabhadra Bhanja (1764-1792 A.D.) two small areas of Tillo and Jujhpada were purchased from the Zamindar of Kantajhari and were added to the State. These were recognised as parts of Keonjhar in the Sanad granted by the East India Company to Raja Janardan Bhanj in 1804. Since then there had been no territorial changes of the State till its merger with the Province of Odisha. But after merger largely for the reasons of administrative expediency the areas of Tillo (7.51 sq.km) and Jujhpada (9.06sq.km.) were transferred to the districts of Baleshwar and Cuttack respectively, while a number of villages called Ambo group (14.84 sq.km.) of Balasore district were added to Keonjhar district.

b) Geographical Location:

     Keonjhar is a land locked district with an area of 8240 Sq. Km. It is situated in the northern part of Odisha. It is surrounded by Singhbhum district of Jharkhand in the North, Jajpur in the South, Dhenkanal and Sundargarh in the West and Mayurbhanj and Bhadrak in the East. It lies between 21^o1'N and 22^o10'N latitudes, between 35^o11' and 86^o22' longitude and at 480 meter altitude. The National Highway-215 passing through Keonjhargarh approximately bi-sects the district into two similar natural regions. To the East of this Highway are the planes of Anandapur and a portion of Sadar Sub-division. To the West is a range of lofty hills which contains some of the highest peaks of Odisha namely Gandhamardan (3477 ft.), Mankadnacha (3639 ft.), Gonasika ( 3219 ft.) and Thakurani ( 3003 ft.). About half of the area of this district spreading about 4043 sq.kms. is covered by forests of Northern tropical moist deciduous type and contains Sal, Asan, Piasal, etc. The river Baitarani comes out of Gonasika Hills and flows to the north touching the border of Singhbhum district of Jharkhand. It again flows East entering Anandapur Sub-division and the district of Bhadrak. The soil is mostly red throughout the district and in the South there is a small patch of black cotton soil.