Naveen claims significant achievements in all front of governance in Odisha
17 March, Bhubaneswar
Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik Thursday claimed that his government has made significant achievements in all fronts of governance and the state has become the most preferred destination for investment not only in the country but across the globe due to the climate of peaceful industrialisation and industry friendly policies.
Replying to Governor S C Jamir’s address to the Assembly, Patnaik said the government has been able to substantially increase irrigation potential of the state, about to achieve conversion of one million thatched houses into pucca houses in rural areas and extended the scope of ongoing state schemes like Gopabandhu Gramin Yojana to the whole of Odisha in view of the closure of important schemes by the Central government. “In the process, we have fulfilled many of our promises and are proud of our achievements in placing Odisha at the vanguard of economic and social prosperity,” he said.
The chief minister said reduction of poverty cutting across different regions and segments of society has been the hallmark of our growth which is both inclusive and holistic. The pace of poverty reduction in the state has been the highest in the country at 24.6 per cent between 2004-05 and 2011-12, he added.
Patnaik said the global economic slowdown has an adverse impact on the state economy but by taking better revenue mobilisation measures, the government has been able to increase our tax revenue by 17.43 per cent and non-tax revenue receipt by 10.40 per cent, thus making the tax / GSDP ratio to climb to 6.38 per cent.
He assured the Assembly that the government is sensitive to the needs of the farmers in the state and said despite several hurdles like frequent natural calamities, highly erratic monsoon and uneven distribution of rainfall, agriculture has been on the growth trajectory and proven itself to be the most resilient economic activity of the state.
The chief minister further said despite widespread moisture stress experienced across the state, the farmers have been able to produce 120 lakh MTs of food grain, which makes each one of us proud of their resilience. This could be possible due to the quick response of our Government to the needs of farmers.For the significant achievement in productivity, Odisha has become the recipient of the prestigious Krushi Karman Award for the fourth time during the last five years. This is a living testimony to their dedication hazards. It has added to health and social security of farmers at large.
Patnaik said the government has renamed the Agriculture Department as the Department of Agriculture and Farmer’s Empowerment to sharpen our focus on their empowerment and overall development through various activities.
Odisha is among few states in India to have constituted an Agriculture Cabinet to look into the growth of this sector by bringing greater synergy and coordination among relevant departments.
He said the National Food Security Act, 2013 has been successfully implemented in the state with a robust database and the Ration Card Management System and the government has been able to streamline paddy procurement and direct transfer of funds to farmer’s accounts.
The chief minister claimed that the overall law and order situation of the state is peaceful and there is perceptible improvement in the LWE scenario. Surrender of LWEs has increased. The development initiatives coupled with social security measures are making strong impact on these areas.
The government, he said, is committed for a safe and secure society and will continue to work towards this without fear or favour.
The people of Odisha have placed their trust in us and we are committed to work for their all round development, welfare and empowerment, he remarked.
The opposition Congress, BJP and independent member George Tirkey, however, staged a walk out in the Assembly accusing the Chief Minister of not responding to their queries and the points raised by them during the debate on motion of thanks to the address of the Governor.