Bhubaneswar: “In a few months, people of Odisha are going to create a new record in the political history of this country,” Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik said with a positive affirmation in his Cabinet address barely a few hours before announcement of dates of Lok Sabha and Assembly elections.
“I always feel profoundly blessed and humbled by the intense faith of the people which also inspires me to work harder. The next 10 years will be decisive for Odisha’s future. We will herald an empowered Odisha – modern, dynamic and responsive–primarily for our youth… Also for our women and children, entrepreneurs, farmers and tribals,” he said addressing the last Cabinet meeting in his 5th term as CM.
“We will usher in an Odisha with secure roots and powerful wings. With all your blessings, the Juggernaut rolls on,” the CM after declaring that Odisha was now the fastest developing economy in the country.
He credited his government for bringing a sharp drop in multidimensional poverty in the last five years.
“Odisha has been rated as the best in fiscal management, due to our prudent fiscal practices and major revenue generation efforts through transparent mineral auction process and increasing industrial growth,” said the CM adding that Odisha will be the economic powerhouse of Eastern India as it has risen to No 2 position in attracting manufacturing investment in the country.
The CM did not leave anything or anyone behind in his speech.
He spoke about industrial growth, welfare schemes like AMA bank scheme, Biju Swasthya Yojana and Mission Shakti and also management of disasters like cyclone Fani and COVID-19.
“We were the only state which provided free quality health care from testing to treatment for every citizen, in partnership with the private hospitals during the pandemic,” he said.
He termed the Mission Shakti women members as strong partners in the transformation story of Odisha and said SHGs are fast converting to SMEs.
The CM reminded people about the initiatives taken under 5T, the high school transformation programme, Nua-O programme, Nabin Odisha Magic card, Swayam youth empowerment scheme and development of world’s largest seated hockey stadium in Rourkela.
Naveen said teamwork, commitment, technology, and timely execution of projects which made the Lower Suktel project in Balangir, Gangadhar Meher Lift irrigation Project, KALIA Yojana successful.
“Odisha is the only state with an initiative called LABHA that assures Minimum Support Price for Minor Forest Produce collected by tribals,” he said.
The CM also spoke about his government’s attempts to protect tribal languages, protection of minorities and religious institutions and Shree Mandir Parikrama Yojana, and increasing rural connectivity through Laccmi buses and overseas connectivity with direct flights to Dubai, Bangkok and Singapore.
He promised better education, empowerment and employment to youth. “The youth of the state will build New Odisha – a state which will set benchmarks in every sector and bring prosperity to its people,” he said.
