Bhubaneswar: Prime Minister Narendra Modi headed for Raj Bhawan after addressing a programme organised by BJP Odisha near the airport in Bhubaneswar on Friday.
He will be in the state for 3 days and attend the All India DG-IG conference from Saturday.
Meanwhile, 80-year-old Purushottam Kandoi, a businessman, has published advertisements in newspapers, seeking appointment with PM Modi during his stay in the state.
The president of All Odisha Steel Federation mentioned that he had written to the PM in 2014 during his first term in office, which he claimed led to the amendment to the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Amendment Act, 1957, on January 2015. “Odisha economic condition was negative from last many decades and the state government was depending on debt and funds from Centre. Despite having a vast store of natural resources, there was no growth at all in Odisha… I approached you on May 27, 2014, when you became Prime Minister for the first time. You were gracious enough to honour my effort and you accepted my request instantly and took action for modification of MMDR Act, 1957,… It took about 5 years for getting the amended Act implemented because of mining scam and with the help of Justice M B Shah who was deputed for implementation of the amended act,” the advertisement read.
Kandoi mentioned that he had sent the letter by flight through his staff.
The businessmen further stated that this was of the one initial decisions taken by Modi as the PM. “Nowadays Odisha government has started earning Rs 3-4 lakh crore every year and is on its way to become one of the richest states of India,” he noted.
He then went on to request for an appointment with him. “During your visit to Odisha, please spare some time for discussion with me on this subject so that my experience and capability in this field can help you to decide future action plans to ensure that
Odisha will grow further and will fulfil your dreams,” he added.
While attending the concluding function of ‘Odisha Parba 2024’ in New Delhi, the Prime Minister had said that efforts are being made to ensure that Odisha is counted among the powerful, prosperous and rapidly advancing states, when it celebrates its centenary year of statehood in 2036.
He added that investments worth Rs 45,000 crore have been approved by the Centre within the first 100 days of the BJP government in the state. “Today, Odisha has both vision and a strategic plan for increased investment and job creation,” he said.
He also spoke about immense potential for port-based industrial development in the state, and opening of new avenues of prosperity by focusing on its position in the steel, aluminium and energy sectors. He also outlined plans to enhance the export of products like turmeric, cashew, jute, cotton, oilseeds and seafood and branding them for global markets.
