By Bizodisha Bureau, Bhubaneswar, February 23, 2023: Odisha will emerge as a leading state in the country, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik asserted once again in the State Legislative Assembly on Thursday while giving vote of thanks on the Governor Prof Ganeshi Lal’s speech in the State Assembly.
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“Odisha’s pro-people governance has been further strengthened by the 5T principles to provide professional and effective services with the aim of transformational development in every sector”, he said.

Odisha is being recognized as a role model in many fields. “We are on a journey of significant growth and development to make Odisha as a leading state in the country”, the CM said highlighting the state’s potentialities to emerge as a leading state in many sectors”.

“Last year, the “Make in Odisha” conclave saw overwhelming response from investors. Our transparent, sensitive and stable governance has created the right ecosystem for the investors leading to large scale proposals for setting up of manufacturing and service industries in Odisha”, the CM said.

The people of Odisha have repeatedly reposed their faith in our Government due to the progressive, inclusive, growth and empowerment-oriented policies. Due to their support and cooperation, Odisha has emerged successfully out of every crisis. Whether it is the financial crisis when we took over government in 2000 or the various cyclones and pandemics we have faced over the years, the people have whole-heartedly valued our commitment and dedication, the CM pointed out.

“Our pro-people governance has been further strengthened by the 5T principles to provide professional and effective services with the aim of transformational development in every sector. Odisha is being recognised as a role model in many fields. We are on a journey of significant growth and development to make Odisha emerge as a leading state in the country”, he added.

“The recently organized FIH Hockey Men’s World Cup is an example of the State’s capacity to successfully organize mega events involving multiple national and international agencies. With Whole-of-Government approach, the entire state administrative machinery with active engagement of the people across the state, created a wonderful experience for the visiting teams and spectators. It also encouraged our budding sports talent to excel in their fields”.

“It’s a matter of pride for all of us that this was possible in spite of the challenges of Covid, adverse weather conditions and supply & logistics issues. The Birsa Munda Hockey Stadium, Rourkela, was completed within a short period of 15 months. This has been recognized by the Guinness Book of World Records as World’s largest fully-seated hockey stadium. I would like to congratulate the people of Odisha on this achievement”, Naveen said.

He said, “We have huge potential to emerge as a leading state in many sectors and it’s the endeavour of our government to make it happen and fulfill the dreams and aspirations of the youth of Odisha. Last year, the “Make in Odisha” conclave saw overwhelming response from investors. Our transparent, sensitive and stable governance has created the right ecosystem for the investors leading to large scale proposals for setting up of manufacturing and service industries in Odisha. The New Industrial Policy Resolution-2022 for the next 5 years will transform Odisha into “Industrial Hub of Eastern India” by promoting industries in the thrust and priority sectors of the State. Global companies like IBM, Deloitte have started their operations in Bhubaneswar. Many more IT and new age tech companies are looking towards Odisha as a place for investment”.

“We have launched new policies in various sectors like Tourism, Civil Aviation, Ports, Logistics, MSME, Apparel, Export Promotion, Food Processing etc. to attract more investments. Our policies are among the best in the country and we are confident that there will be large scale creation of employment in the state through these policies. At the same time, we are also focusing on making our youth ready for employment through Skilled in Odisha. Our initiatives in ITIs, Polytechnics, World Skill Center etc. have started yielding results and talented skilled youth are getting placements, even outside the country”, the CM further said.

The Chief Minister said that his Government is funding lot of infrastructure projects related to connectivity across the state. The Biju Expressway is almost completed and will herald a new era of development in Western Odisha. The State Government is jointly funding many railway projects for faster movement of goods and passengers in the State. The operationalisation of the Rourkela and Jeypore Airports is a major step forward towards improving air connectivity in the State. To ensure direct international connectivity, the State Government is going to launch services to Dubai, Bangkok and Singapore soon.

Quality and affordable power is a major focus area of our government. We have been funding projects to strengthen the power infrastructure in the state and this year we will ensure all the households across the state have access to electricity and there are no areas with low voltage problems. Odisha Renewable Energy Policy, 2022 will enable the development of sustainable green power projects, the CM added.

“Odisha is rated as the state with lowest unemployment rate of 0.9% by Centre for Monitoring Indian Economy. Our wage employment programs and livelihood projects are having a big impact in the field. The MGNREGA program is further strengthened by our own support in the distress migration-prone blocks of the state. During Covid, we have started MUKTA scheme in urban areas which has provided the much needed social safety net in the context of the pandemic effect on the economy”, he added.

The Chief Minister said, “Our Government is investing hugely in agriculture and allied sectors and Water resources. Apart from being a large paddy producing state, we are now appreciated for our support towards Millets development. We were awarded the “Best Millet Promoting State” by ICAR-IIMR and FAO for the last two consecutive years. Our schemes like KALIA, BALARAM etc. along with the credit facilities are providing the critical support to the farmers”.

Large numbers of irrigation projects are nearing completion and will be inaugurated during this year. This will have significant impact on the farming communities across many districts in Odisha. The State Government is planning to take up more projects, especially the instream projects and lift irrigation projects.

The flagship program, Biju Swasthya Kalyan Yojana is providing best health care through partnership with private hospitals, at no cost to the patients. More than 10 lakh families have availed the services. The State Government is strengthening the government hospitals through upgrading the facilities and filling up the vacancies. The new medical colleges at Puri, Keonjhar and Sundargarh, and PG institutes in Cuttack and Bhubaneswar, will further give a boost to the medical personnel availability in the state in coming years, Naveen said.

The education sector in the state is undergoing transformation. There is now demand for admission in Odisha Adarsh Vidyalayas and Government high schools compared to the private schools in many places. The 5T High School Transformation has reinvigorated school education across the state. We are launching an awards program to recognise the commendable work of teachers and also meritorious students. The state is further strengthening the higher education sector through larger allocation of funds and starting new Universities. Mo School and Mo College Abhiyans have created a unique alumni connect and support, the CM stated.

Piped water supply to houses is a major focus area and we target to cover the entire state by 2024. Odisha has been recognised as a pioneer in Drink from Tap initiative. Puri is the only city in India to be covered with 24×7 water supply conforming to IS-10500 standards. The 100% household tap connections will be covered in all urban areas in the state by December 2023, he further said.

UN-Habitat recognized Odisha by awarding „World Habitat Bronze Award 2023‟ for its Slum Upgradation Programme JAGA Mission. We have extended the scheme to provide land rights to slum dwellers in the Municipal corporation areas. This is major step towards making cities slum free and converting the slums into Adarsh colonies. Urban amenities and housing will continue to be a major focus area for the government, the CM said.

Mission Shakti is now set to elevate to the next level, from micro entrepreneurship to production groups in collaboration with big business houses and value chains. We had launched some pioneering schemes for women and children including MAMTA, SOPAN, PRARAMBH, ADVIKA etc.

The empowerment and development of ST and SC communities has been a continuous endeavour of our government. Schemes like ANWESHA and AKANKSHYA have helped in raising the aspirations of the students.

Odisha is among the few states where the forest and tree cover is increasing. Our community-driven programmes are focused to preserve, protect and nurture the environment, wildlife and natural resources.

“Our “Mo Sarkar‟ initiative has brought about a major transformation in the public service delivery through constant people feedback. This is having significant impact on the citizen perception towards government. Odisha has been rated among the top in the country in terms of action against corruption. We are committed to providing transparent and effective delivery of public services to the citizens”.

“Our government is working sincerely and dedicatedly towards the development of the state in all sectors. Our prudent fiscal management has enabled Odisha to be revenue surplus and capable of large scale investments in growth oriented programmes. I am confident that in the coming years, Odisha will be making rapid and transformative progress which will help socio-economic empowerment and development of all segments of the state”, the CM concluded.