What Vision Does the Odisha Budget Session Hold for Development?
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
Bhubaneswar, Feb 17 (NationPress) The significant budget session of the Odisha Assembly kicked off on Tuesday, with Governor Hari Babu Kambhampati delivering his traditional address. He urged the assembly members to fulfill their vital responsibilities with commitment and collaborate to ensure inclusive growth.
Kambhampati, commencing his speech with an invocation of Jai Jagannath, paid homage to the late members of the assembly, including Murlidhar Chandrakant Bhandare, a former Governor of Odisha, and Padma Shri awardee Kamala Pujari. He stated that the state government aims to establish a Viksit Odisha by 2036, marking the centenary of the state's inception.
To achieve this, key priorities will include providing employment opportunities for youth, ongoing support for farmers, empowerment of women, safeguarding constitutional rights, ensuring the safety of Dalits and Adivasis, allotting land to the landless, supporting agricultural laborers, and liberating Dalits, minorities, and the economically disadvantaged from oppressive laws.
“Aligned with the national vision of Viksit Bharat by 2047, my Government acknowledges the significance of a Viksit Odisha, which can become the catalyst for national progress during the Amrit Kal,” emphasized Kambhampati.
The Governor also pointed out various welfare and development initiatives undertaken by the state government aimed at fulfilling its objectives in sectors including agriculture, industry, education, infrastructure, tourism, healthcare, and the IT and ITES industries.
He announced plans to revolutionize the agricultural sector in Odisha through the Samrudh Krushak Niti, under which paddy will be purchased at Rs 3,100 per quintal, with payments processed within 48 hours via Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT). The initiative will emphasize value chains, farm mechanization, and post-harvest infrastructure. Additionally, mandis will be enhanced with granaries, rest areas for farmers, and warehouses, all connected to e-NAM.
The Governor also shared that the PM-KUSUM scheme will be fully executed to provide farmers with renewable energy solutions for micro-irrigation. Kambhampati further highlighted that the government will concentrate on labor-intensive and forward-looking sectors such as textiles, information technology, electronics, chemicals, petrochemicals, tourism, and food processing.
“To evolve Odisha into a vibrant manufacturing hub, my Government will prioritize the automobile, EV, semiconductor, and IT/ITES sectors through the 'Make in Odisha' initiative. This initiative targets the creation of over 3.5 lakh jobs by 2029, stimulating economic growth and employment within the State. My Government will promote entrepreneurial ventures among SC and ST youth,” added Governor Kambhampati.
The government also aims to create 25 lakh Lakhpati Didis in Odisha by 2027 through the establishment of industrial clusters for SHGs and providing facility management for product marketing and promotion. Kambhampati noted that the state government has set a target to significantly decrease malnutrition by 2027 and eradicate the disease from Odisha by 2030.