Bhubaneswar: Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Saturday thanked COVID warriors for their selfless service and relentless efforts to fight against the coronavirus pandemic in the state.
Addressing the people after hoisting the Tricolour at the state-level Independence Day function here, he expressed “deep gratitude” to the COVID warriors who have sacrificed their lives in the fight against the virus.
He said the entire credit goes to the COVID warriors for whom the recovery rate in Odisha has remained much higher than the national average. “We are truly indebted to the exemplary sacrifice of these valiant warriors who will be instrumental in the victory over this killer virus not only in Odisha but also in the country,” he added.
Stating that the pandemic has severely impacted the economy, health, education, tourism and communication sectors the world over, Naveen said that the virus will be brought under control by the vaccines which several countries are trying their best to make. “In such circumstances, we will have to fight really hard to replenish the damage the pandemic has rendered to humanity,” he pointed out.
The CM informed that the government has set up several COVID hospitals and provided treatment to the people through plasma therapy by setting up of five plasma banks. “The state government has been providing free treatment to COVID patients to ensure that no one should be deprived of treatment. We are working on a mission mode to save the lives of the people,” he said.
Referring to economic activities, Naveen said that all activities relating to agriculture, construction and employment generation were going on in full swing.
“Besides, in such circumstances, the state government has received investment proposals of Rs 12,000 crore. Out of the total investment proposals in the country, the share of Odisha is 18%. With this, Odisha has outpaced Maharashtra to become the leading state in the country,” he informed.
The CM also said that in the agriculture sector, the growth rate of Odisha during 2019-20 is 7.61% which is much higher than the national average (2.8%).
On the occasion of Independence Day, he also expressed his profound tribute to the freedom fighters and the soldiers.
Also Read: Odisha CM Naveen Patnaik Greets People On Independence Day
