By Our Correspondent
NEW DELHI/BHUBANESWAR: Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Saturday addressed at 9th Meeting of the Governing Council of NITI Aayog chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi on Saturday.
Read Full Statement of Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi at 9th Meeting of the Governing Council of NITI Aayog
Jai Jagannath
Hon’ble Prime Minister, Hon’ble Union Ministers, Hon’ble Chief Ministers, Hon’ble Lieutenant Governors, Hon’ble Vice-Chairman, NITI Ayog Respected Members of NITI Aayog and Other distinguished participants.
I extend my deepest gratitude to Hon’ble Prime Minister for convening the 9th meeting of the Governing Council of NITI Aayog at New Delhi bringing the Central and State Governments together to work jointly as a team for achieving the goal of Viksit Bharat by 2047.
The people of Odisha have given a clear mandate to our Government to collaborate with the Union Government and accelerate the pace of development of the state.
I take this opportunity to express our gratitude to the Hon’ble Prime Minister for announcing Purvodaya scheme in the Union Budget, 2024-25 to boost the development of five eastern states including Odisha. Highlighting Odisha’s tourism potential, the Hon’ble Finance Minister in her budget speech has also assured necessary support for its development.
As a first-time Chief Minister, I am both humbled and delighted to be present here, hoping to take guidance from the Hon’ble Prime Minister and all my senior colleagues. Twenty years back, I would have never imagined that I would be the Chief Minister of a wonderful state like Odisha. It is a testimony to the robust democratic tradition of our Nation. I have worked at the grassroots as a Sarpanch. As a Member of the Legislative Assembly, I have had the opportunity to work as Government Deputy Chief Whip, Opposition Chief Whip and Chairman of the Public Accounts Committee. The insights that I have gained about the working of various Government Departments will help me to render a people friendly administration.
My Government has completed 45 days today. With utmost sense of responsibility and pride, I would like to share that I have presented my first budget, which clearly outlines our strategy of taking Odisha to newer heights and to meet the rising aspirations of our people.
Furthermore, I am very happy to share that in keeping with the expectations of the people of Odisha, we have already started working in right earnest.
- With the blessings of Lord Jagannath, the nine day long world-famous Rath Yatra at Puri has been organised smoothly. Pursuant to the historic decision of our Cabinet, all the four gates (Dwaras) of Shree Jagannath Temple have been opened to the devotees. The Inner Ratna Bhandar of the Temple has also been opened after a gap of 46 years.
- The State Government has decided to launch the ambitious Subhadra Yojana that will work towards the empowerment and financial inclusion of women in the State.
iii. To strengthen the education system in the state, 800 schools will be developed under PM SHRI in alignment with National Education Policy, 2020.
VII. The year 2036 marks the completion of 100 years of the Statehood of Odisha. Hence, the next decade is crucial for us. We have started working on a strategy to stimulate high growth to realise the dream of Viksit Odisha by 2036, leading eventually to Viksit Bharat by 2047.
Viksit Bharat by 2047
“Viksit Bharat” by 2047 would balance economic growth with social well-being; development with sustainability; technological advancements with preservation of culture and heritage while also ensuring good quality of life for all its people. Under the inspiring leadership of Hon’ble Prime Minister, India is well poised to become the third largest economy of the world soon.
With our geographical location resource base and demographic composition, we envisage Odisha’s consistent growth at a rate of 8-10% annually, moving from a middle-ranking state to being one of the first bogies in the train of India’s development.
Assistance from Government of India , Viksit Odisha shall be a key contributor to Viksit Bharat.
- a) To leverage Odisha’s long coastline of 480 km, we shall adopt the model of port led development, positioning us as the gateway to the Eastern and South Eastern Asia and a port of call for neighbouring landlocked States. Support is therefore required for establishment of large-scale port-based industrial zones in areas surrounding the existing ports of Dhamra and Gopalpur; while further developing greenfield ports at Astaranga, Palur, Bahuda, and Subarnarekha. In this regard, salt pan land of around 4300 acres owned by the Central Government in Ganjam district may be transferred to the State Government early.
- b) As we work towards building our infrastructure such as Industrial Parks and Corridors, Electricity Grids, Railway Infrastructure and enhanced air connectivity, dedicated budget allocations and quick clearances from the Union Government for various infrastructure projects would be very helpful.
- c) Odisha, though prone to natural disasters, has emerged as a pioneer in disaster management, demonstrating remarkable resilience. Financial support of the Central Government for creation of Disaster Resilient Infrastructure in power, telecom sectors and coastal saline embankments will help the State in minimising the adverse consequences of cyclones and floods.
- d) As a potential green economy, support is also required for Pumped Hydro Storage Plants (PSPs) projects, Floating Solar Projects and intrastate green energy transmission corridor projects.
- e) To ensure financial inclusion, Government of India may expedite opening more numbers of brick & mortar bank branches and ATMs in the unbanked/ under-banked Gram Panchayats.
- f) Odisha is rich in mineral resources and is a leading producer of various minerals in the country. However, we need to move up the value chain and produce special metals and alloys for aerospace and defence. We need the support of the Central Government in this regard.
- g) Odisha has a lower railway density compared to the national average. Government of India may consider increasing railway density in Odisha.
- h) With over 33% forest cover, Odisha plays a crucial role in environment protection. However, the state’s high forest cover limits its ability to utilize land for development projects, affecting its economic growth. I urge the Central government to consider incentivising Odisha for reducing its carbon footprint and rendering ecological services.
- i) Odisha has a growing pool of talented tech professionals, a thriving startup ecosystem and an ambitious Semiconductor Policy, making it an ideal location for making it a Semiconductor Hub. We seek the support of Government of India for attracting Foreign Direct Investment and State-of-the-art technology for design and manufacturing semiconductors.
Viksit Odisha to Viksit Bharat
- a) Odisha has a young workforce. Large number of skilled Odia youth have found employment outside the state and abroad. The brand ‘Skilled in Odisha’ is now well recognised. So, we will further improve our skilling and educational ecosystem.
- b) Odisha has about 40 % SC &ST population. No meaningful development is possible without including them. In this regard, Pradhan Mantri Janjati Adivasi Nyaya Maha Abhiyan (PM-JANMAN) and PM Janjati Unnat Gram Abhiyan are welcome steps towards inclusive development. The state will not only implement these schemes in right earnest, but also special efforts will be made to improve the infrastructure in the backward areas and to improve various development indices in livelihood, education and health sectors.
- c) Odisha has significant potential for renewable energy, particularly solar energy and hydro power. We will harness this potential optimally.
- d) Odisha’s 480 km long coastline and water resources can pave the way towards a Blue Economy by exploring marine aquaculture, island tourism, beach tourism, water sports and other niche areas like seaweed cultivation.
- e) Odisha has a rich cultural heritage and a unique identity that can be leveraged as a Soft Power to promote its interests globally through art, architecture, handloom, handicrafts, dance forms etc. This is in tune with Hon’ble Prime Minister’s national vision of ‘Vikash Bhi, Virasat Bhi’.
As I conclude, I assure this esteemed house that Viksit Odisha will contribute substantially to Viksit Bharat under the visionary leadership of Yashashwi Pradhan Mantri Shri Narendra Modi ji.
Thank you
Bande Utkal Janani
Jai Hind
