In less than 15 years, Odisha will turn 100. In this context, the Orissa Economics Association is preparing the Odisha Vision 2036 document. On April 14, which is also celebrated as the Odia New Year, the association held a virtual consultation meeting among the life members.
Eminent economists like Professor Prabhat Pattnaik, JNU; Prof Pulin B Nayak, Delhi School of Economics; Prof Udaya, S Mishra, Centre for Development Studies, Trivandrum; Prof Keshab Das, Gujarat Institute of Development Research, Ahmedabad; Prof Deepak Mishra, JNU; Prof Saudamini Das, Institute of Economic Growth; Prof Amalendu Jyotishi, Azim Premji University; Prof Mitali Chinara, Utkal University; Prof Rabi Narayan Patra, Prof Nirmal Chandra Sahu, Prof Kailash Sarap and Prof Sarba Narayan Mishra provided their suggestions for the preparation of the vision document.
Professor Prabhat Patnaik emphasized that the State should have a clear vision for generating employment through Panchayat level enterprises like the Chinese village enterprises. Strengthening the Self-Help Groups will empower the women and increase female work participation. Care services can generate large number of employment, through which a large number of female workers can be engaged. Prof Pulin Bihari Nayak viewed that the State should use the coming 15 years to have a clear roadmap for development. If it succeeds, it can create a template for other economically backward States.
Professor Udaya S Mishra highlighted that the State should use the demographic dividend for transforming the economy and be prepared for providing social security to the old and vulnerable sections of the society.
Prof Keshab Das argued that the State should create facilitating infrastructure and adopt a cluster approach for strengthening the MSMEs in the State. The State should also focus on value additions in the tourism sector, he added. The meeting was presided over by the president of the association, Prof Surjya Narayan Tripathy, and moderated by secretary Dr Amarendra Das.