Odisha Emerges As Leading Investment Destination: Naveen
Bhubaneswar, March 28: Not withstanding the covid pandemic Odisha has emerged as a leading investment destination with over 4.4 lakh crore investment intent during the last three years, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik told the state Assembly on Monday.
Participating in the debate on the motion of thanks on Governor’s address, Patnaik said with more than 1.53 lakh employment opportunities, the state, he hoped would continue to be the leader state and the most preferred investment destination in the country.
He said over the last 10 years Odisha has grown at an average rate of 6.5 percent against national average of 5.3 percent. During the 2020-21 fiscal due to slow down, Odisha’s economy contracted by 5.3 percent compared to 7.3 per cent contraction in the national economy indicating that Odisha was less affected.
The Chief Minister said as per advance Estimate for 2021-22, Odisha registered 10.1 percent growth compared to 8.8 percent growth in the National Economy. Odisha, he further said is the only state to be fully FRBM compliant since enactment. “Fiscal prudence and inclusive development are twin policy objectives that guide our growth trajectory”, Patnaik stated. Odisha, the Chief Minister claimed, is a pioneer state in implementing international best practices in Public Finance Management. The success of Odisha in startup Odisha initiative has made the state as ” Top performer ” and ” leader state in startup rankings during 2018 and 2019 ,Patnaik said The state government, he said has provided special financial support to MSME sector to tide over the Covid crisis The recovery of the economy from the impact of the pandemic was a huge challenge and ‘ Odisha met this challenge with resolve and able to successfully reboot the economy.”
The Chief Minister thanked the people of Odisha for their remarkable collective spirit with which they have stood up over the past two years of the pandemic in spite of the loss at the personal, professional and livelihood front. Stating that the tourism and hospital sector in Odisha has a huge potential to generate employment and contribute to the state economy, the government has undertaken Integrated master planning and destination development program to boost tourism, facilitate private sector investments, augment livelihood opportunities for the local communities and promote local entrepreneurs.
The government, Patnaik said, planned to saturate all rural households with tap water connection by 2024 with a capital outlay of Rs 50,263 crore under the state saturation plan. Puri is the only city in the country to have achieved the distinction of joining the prestigious league of international cities in providing safe drinking water facilities to all households under “Drink from Tap Mission”.
The Chief Minister said the Food security mission of the state has secured 4th position among large states in the third state Food security Index for 2020-21. Odisha is also playing a key role in the turnaround of Indian Sports scenario with its continuous support for players and investment in sports infrastructure, he said adding in recognition of the brilliant performance of the Indi hockey team at Tokyo Olympics 2020, the government has decided to sponsor Indian hockey for ten years till 2033.
