‘Since day one, I am available to the people'
1
2
3
What do you consider your
administration
's most
significant achievement
in your first 10 months as CM?
There are many. But if I have to single out the most significant, then I should say it's our success in reaching out to the common man. Since day one, I have been
available
to the people. Over the past 10 months, we have dealt with over 10,000 grievances and mostly solved their issues with 88% success rate.
We are on a mission to hold grievance redressal initiatives in different cities and towns. Recently, we held a public grievance in Sambalpur and the next one is planned for Berhampur. Our aim is to reach out to the people. This is the essence of democracy.
I am glad that in this short span of time, we have fulfilled all our major promises — opening of the four doors of the temple of Lord Jagannath, Rs 500 crore corpus fund for the temple, Subhadra Yojana for women, Rs 800 input assistance to farmers during paddy procurement, and many more. We have recently launched Antyodaya Gruha Yojana for the poor and destitute. We also rolled out Ayushman Bharat in Odisha which was blocked by the previous govt for political reasons.
Sponsored Links
Sponsored Links
Promoted Links
Promoted Links
You May Like
Google Brain Co-Founder Andrew Ng, Recommends: Read These 5 Books And Turn Your Life Around
Blinkist: Andrew Ng's Reading List
Undo
Your govt has emphasised tribal welfare and representation. Can you share specific initiatives launched to uplift Odisha's tribal communities?
We have a number of schemes along with that of the central govt for uplift of tribals. We have floated a new scheme named Saheed Laxman Nayak Adarsh Ashram Vidyalaya Yojana to redevelop Ashram schools. We are also implementing many central schemes which can transform tribal life. Besides, we are opening Tribal Swabhiman Bhawan and Tribal Language & Culture Institute to promote the vibrant culture of tribal people. To address the dropout rate among tribal children, we have launched Madho Singh Haath Kharch Yojana, where we are giving tribal students Rs 5,000 each, benefiting over 2 lakh students.
Odisha has seen major investment proposals in events such as Utkarsh Odisha conclave. How is your govt ensuring these translate into actual jobs and development?
As you know, Utkarsh Odisha-Make in Odisha Conclave held in Jan has surpassed all previous records by attracting investment proposals to the tune of Rs 12.89 lakh crore. Investments have been received across various sectors. These investments are expected to generate over 8.94 lakh job opportunities, creating a
significant
socio-economic impact.
We have created a dedicated team that is providing all necessary facilitation to potential investors to set up units here. I am personally interacting with investors and our team is always ready to resolve issues, if any, at the highest level.
BJP promised to address 'Odia Asmita'. How has your administration worked to promote Odisha's cultural and linguistic identity?
It's one of our core agenda. We have been taking a number of steps including opening of four doors of the temple of Lord Jagannath, Rs 500 crore corpus fund for the temple, construction of Odia Asmita Bhawan, museum for palm leaf manuscripts, establishing memorials for Odia heroes, and many others. For the first time, we celebrated Utkal Divas at the birthplace of Utkal Gourav Madhusudan Das. From Utkal Divas to Odia New Year, Odia pakshya (fortnight) was celebrated dedicating each day to a specific aspect linked to our Asmita.
Critics have pointed to a lack of groundbreaking ideas from your govt. How would you respond to that? What big-ticket projects are in the pipeline?
There will always be naysayers. Massive investments in infrastructure, development of Paradip as a petrochemical hub with support from IOCL, huge investments in metals and mining sector will spur an economic growth Odisha has seen never before. Despite leading the metals and mining sector, we are keen on diversification of investments in sectors such as petrochemicals, textiles, food processing, IT, tourism and other sectors.
Our agreement with IOCL, ISPRL, Petronet LNG entails an investment of about Rs 1 lakh crore and expected to generate nearly 70,000 jobs. It will strengthen Odisha's strategic role in the petrochemical landscape of the country.
Besides, some of the leading IT companies are opening their centres in Bhubaneswar. We expect the creation of over 50,000 jobs in the IT sector in next 5 years.
In textiles and apparel sector, we have received investment offers of over Rs 7,700 crore which can create over 88,000 direct and indirect jobs. Our plan for the state's growth for the next five years will certainly be a golden period in our development history.
Odisha faces challenges like rural poverty and unemployment. What steps has your govt taken to tackle these issues?
In these 10 months, we have filled up over 25,000 vacancies in the govt. We have a target of filling up 1.5 lakh govt posts in coming years. Besides, setting up industries will create huge job opportunities. In addition, we are encouraging rural women to take up small businesses through schemes like Subhadra and other interest subvention schemes for SHGs. Under the Lakhpati Didi scheme, Odisha has outperformed other states in terms of target, wherein our success is about 90%. I think, rural poverty and unemployment will be a thing of the past in a few years. Odisha will witness reverse migration.
As the first BJP CM after 24 years of BJD rule, how have you worked to differentiate your governance style from that of your predecessor's?
As I said in the beginning, I have a better connect with the common people. I am accessible to the people 24x7. Reaching out to people and trying to solve their issues defines the democratic character of my governance style, which was absent previously.
Besides, as people's chief minister, I am working along with my team on a long-term vision for Odisha in alignment with the vision of the Prime Minister. We are making all out efforts for holistic development.
Mining is a key economic driver in Odisha, but it has environmental and social costs. How is your administration balancing growth with sustainability?
Mining is essential for development. We are identifying land for compensatory afforestation, asking industries to use green tech, and following a strict green norm for industries as per provisions.
Odisha can have 22 ministers but you have chosen to have a smaller council of 16. When will you increase the numbers?
We will take a decision at an appropriate time.
What are your top priorities for Odisha in the coming year?
We have huge plans for industries, infrastructure, employment, empowerment of women and farmers. We are working round-the-clock to realize these objectives. You will witness visible success in the coming days.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
India Gazette
an hour ago
- India Gazette
"Politically motivated": BRS slams PC Ghosh Commission for delaying submission of Kaleshwaram project report
Hyderabad (Telangana) [India], June 12 (ANI) Amid chaos over former Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao's appearance at PC Ghosh Commission in connection with the alleged irregularities in Kaleshwaram project, Bharat Rashtra Samith (BRS) leader KP Vivekanand Goud labelled the Commission as being 'politically motivated' and expressed reservations over the delay in submission of the report on the project. He informed that the PC Ghosh Commission was expected to submit the report on the Kaleshwaram project within 100 days, but it has been extending the deadline. 'Today, in connection with the PC Ghosh Commission inquiry, our leader, KCR, was called. The PC Ghosh Commission was supposed to submit the report on the Kaleshwaram project within 100 days. But it has only been extending the deadline, which clearly shows that this is a politically motivated commission. Out of 239 pillars, only two pairs required repairs. Just to defame KCR, they are dragging out the Commission,' Goud told ANI here. This came as KCR appeared before PC Ghosh Commission in connection with alleged irregularities in the Kaleshwaram project. Heavy police deployment was witnessed at Hyderabad's BRK Bhavan on Wednesday ahead of KCR's appearance. Previously, BRS MLA and former Irrigation minister Harish Rao and BJP MP Etela Rajender, who previously served as Finance Minister in the BRS government, appeared before the commission. Justice PC Ghose Commission on Tuesday issued summons to former Telangana CM K Chandrashekar Rao (KCR), former Minister Harish Rao, and BJP MP Etela Rajender, who also served as a minister during the BRS regime, in the ongoing investigation into alleged irregularities in the Kaleshwaram Lift Irrigation Project (KLIP). The Commission, which has been probing financial and procedural lapses in the multi-crore irrigation project, directed the three political leaders to appear for questioning in the first week of June. On June 8, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Member of Parliament Konda Vishweshwar Reddy described the Kaleshwaram Lift Irrigation Project in Telangana as the 'world's biggest engineering blunder' and termed it a 'huge scam' that has severely impacted the state's economy. Speaking to ANI, Reddy said, 'Kaleshwaram Lift Irrigation Project in Telangana is the world's biggest engineering blunder and it's a huge scam which ruined Telangana economically. It is one of the prime reasons that the richest state of Telangana is in such a horrible economic condition. We have a loan of Rs 8 lakh crore.' 'The present Congress government does not have money to pay salaries and run the government,' he added, blaming the ruling party for the deepening financial crisis. Telangana Irrigation and Civil Supplies Minister N Uttam Kumar Reddy also held that the previous BRS government was responsible for the project's failure, labelling it the 'biggest man-made disaster' since Independence and the 'most expensive engineering failure' caused by any state government in India. He said that Telangana is currently paying Rs 16,000 crore annually in interest and instalments on high-cost loans borrowed during the BRS regime for this 'faulty' project, thereby placing an enormous burden on the state's finances and its farmers. (ANI)
Indian Express
an hour ago
- Indian Express
In Bhopal, a bridge with 90-degree turn draws criticism, minister says will look into it
A railway overbridge near Aishbagh Stadium in Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh, has run into controversy just as it nears completion – not for delays or cost overruns, but for what some critics say is a fundamental design flaw that could make it unsafe for motorists. Concerns have been raised around the bridge's sharp, almost 90-degree turn, which vehicles must negotiate soon after ascending. With the Congress taking to social media to take a jab at the design, the state PWD Minister Rakesh Singh promised to look into the issue. 'Whenever a bridge is made, a lot of technical considerations are taken into account. So if there are such allegations, we will look into it,' he said, while dismissing the Congress party's concerns as baseless and politically motivated. Constructed at Rs 18 crore, the 648-metre-long, 8.5-metre-wide overbridge is intended to link the congested areas of Mahamai Ka Bagh, Pushpa Nagar, and the railway station zone with New Bhopal. Conceived as a relief project, it promised to eliminate long wait times at railway crossings and spare residents a circuitous detour that many have endured for over a decade. Government estimates suggested that the bridge would benefit around three lakh commuters daily. The bridge, whose construction began in March 2023, has also faced delays. Initially set for completion in 18 months, it is only now approaching readiness after more than 36 months, delayed by factors such as the shifting of electrical lines and coordination issues between the Public Works Department and the Railways. Public Works Department (Bridge Department) Chief Engineer V D Verma told PTI, 'Due to the Metro station, there is limited availability of land at the point. Due to the lack of land, there was no other option. The purpose of the RoB is to connect the two colonies.' Only light vehicles will run on this overbridge, he said, adding that heavy vehicles will not be allowed. — With PTI inputs
Hans India
an hour ago
- Hans India
Talliki Vandanam rollout today
Vijayawada: On the occasion of completing one year in office, the TDP-led NDA government announced a special gift for mothers of school-going children. On Thursday, Chief Minister Nara Chandrababu Naidu is launching Talliki Vandanam scheme, a Super Six promise, under which Rs 8,745 crore will be disbursed to mothers of school-going children. The roll-out will coincide with the government completing one year in the office on Thursday. Under the scheme, the government offers financial assistance of Rs 15,000 to each eligible child every year. The scheme will benefit 67 lakh students in the government on Wednesday issued a government order with operational guidelines of the scheme. The scheme will be extended to students admitted to class 1 and intermediate first year. 'Once admissions are completed and data is available, the funds will be credited to the respective mothers' accounts,' an official statement said. However, it is not clear whether this direct benefit transfer under 'Talliki Vandanam' is for the academic year 2024-25 or 2025-26. In the run up to 2024 Assembly polls, Naidu made several welfare promises under the banner of Super Six, which include Talliki Vandanam, Rs 1,500 monthly aid to every woman in the age bracket of 19 to 59 years, 20 lakh jobs for youth or Rs 3,000 monthly unemployment allowance and free bus travel for women. Among the 'Super Six' promises, the government already implemented pension hike and Deepam-2 scheme. It has now added 'Talliki Vandanam' to the list.
