By Bizodisha Bureau, Bhubaneswar, March 15, 2016: Odisha is targeting a growth rate of 9 per cent in during the 12th Plan Period which the state government wants to set it as its ‘new normal’ growth rate. And to achieve this growth rate, the state is progressively increasing resource allocation to various state plan activities, – said Governor Dr S.C. Jamir during his address to the Assembly on Tuesday.

There was no interruption during the Governor’s speech contrary to a few earlier instances of Opposition members creating a ruckus by standing on the benches raising slogans against the government.

While the state government approved an outlay of Rs 44,150 crore for 2015-16, it intends to increase the figure to 45,000 crore during 2016-17.

“Our commitment for inclusive growth backed by our own increasing resource allocation for the same have made us the fastest growing economy in our country, nearly doubling the per capita income with the highest reduction of poverty in a decade,” the Governor said.

Despite discontinuation of Special Central Assistance (SCA) to the backward KBK (Kalahandi-Bolangir-Koraput) districts, noted the Governor, the state government had enhanced its contribution from the State Plan to complete the ongoing projects in the region.

The state government, the Governor said, had renamed the planning and coordination department as planning and convergence department to bring in innovative planning through spirit of convergence.

The Governor said preparation of separate agriculture budget for the last three years for judicious allocation of resources reflected his government’s sensitive approach to the growth of the sector.

The Governor said the overall law and order situation of the state remained peaceful.

“Communal harmony has been maintained and industrial climate is peaceful. The incidents of Left-Wing Extremism (LWE) violence this year have been very less this year. Surrender of LWE activists have increased in the state.

Crime against women and other heinous crimes are particularly focused and strict accountability measures have been developed to carry out special investigation. The government has also mounted an assault on organised crime, tender and transport mafia,” said the Governor.

Dr Jamir noted that the state government had brought out the new Industrial Policy Resolution -2015 which emphasized on sectors where Odisha enjoyed unparalleled comparative advantages.

While the ruling BJD spokesperson Samir Dash described the Governor’s address as the reflection of the state government’s realistic approaches, the Leader of the Opposition, however, dubbed the budget as “disappointing” and set it was full of false promises.