Odisha's transformational journey since the year 2000 has been remarkable with its economy growing steadily at a higher rate than the national average, and farmers, women, youths and people belonging to all categories and religions are being provided required support for inclusive growth.
Governor Prof Ganeshi Lal claimed this while addressing the 15th State Assembly's last meeting (Budget Session) here on Monday.
"From subsistence to sustenance and from sustenance to surplus, our pace of transformation has been exceptional and our growth has been inclusive. We are now distinctly positioned as progressive State setting national and even global benchmarks. My Government is untiringly striving to eradicate poverty, accelerate and the pace of economic growth, reduce regional disparity and gender differences through various socioeconomic measures and pro-people initiatives. My Government is committed to develop all religions and empower all sections of people," said the Governor.
About the Krushak Assistance for Livelihood and Income Augmentation (KALIA) scheme, the Governor said the scheme has been introduced to further accelerate agriculture prosperity and reduce poverty. It would cover 92 per cent of farmers, landless labourers and sharecroppers. Already, 12.45 lakh small and marginal farmers and about 58,000 sharecroppers have been provided Rs 5,000 each.
"My Government has stood firmly with the people on the Mahanadi and Polavarm issues and will continue its strong resolve to protect people's interest," he said
Under the "Ama Gaon Ama Bikash' initiative, 62,857 projects amounting to Rs 1,554 crore in 6,789 gram panchayats spread across 314 blocks have been sanctioned by the Chief Minister. The State has launched the People's Empowerment Enabling Transparency and Enhancing Accountability Initiatives (PEETHA) to make people aware about different Government schemes and ensure delivery of entitlements to beneficiaries.
Under the Biju Swasthya Kalyan Yojana, my Government has assured about 70 lakh families (3.5 crore people) with calshless assistance of Rs 5 lakh per family per year with additional Rs 2 lakh for women. Numerous schemes like Nidan, Sahay, Sunetra, Nirmal have been introduced to provide support to all types of patients, the Governor said.
Odisha has the highest percentage (91 per cent) of population relying on public health sector for healthcare. Inistitutional deliveries in the State have increased from 22.6% in 1998-99 to 85.4% in 2015 as per NFHS studies.
Odisha is a model State in effecting sharpest decline in malaria that has been acknowledged globally by the WHO. The State has recorded the path breaking decline of over 82% in reported malaria cases and of over 87% in reported malaria death incidences between 2016 and 2018.
The Make in Odisha Conclave 2018-18 has received investment intents to the tune of Rs 4.20 lakh crore across 15 sectors. The export turnover of the State has increased to Rs 52,677 crore in 2017-18 against Rs 40,870 crore in 2016-17, registering highest growth rate of 114 per cent in imports amongst all States. Odisha has become the leading State in implementation of the Forest Rights Act by distributing about 4.22 lakh individual and 6,467 community right titles involving 9.68 lakh acres of land.
The Governor further said the overall law and order situation in the State during 2018 remained by and large peaceful. The Government has been continuously focusing security forces' capability and strengthening security infrastructure in Maoist-hit areas, he said.
Stating that safety and security of women, children and other vulnerable groups is the top priority of the Government, the Governor said a noble campaign named "Paree Pain Katha Tiye" was organised with help of the Unicef to create mass awareness across the State against sexual harassment of minor girls.
By organnising Odisha Hockey Men's World Cup 2018, the Government has proved its mettle in organising an international tournament with the highest level of perfection, he added. Soon after the Governor started his speech, the Congress members staged a walkout stating that he was reading out a statement of the State Government.