ADDRESS
OF
SHRI RAMESHWAR THAKUR
GOVERNER
OF ORISSA
TO
THE
ORISSA
LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY
FEBRUARY 03, 2006
Mr.
Speaker and Hon’ble Members,
It gives me great pleasure to welcome all of you to the 7th
Session of the 13th Orissa Legislative Assembly. Through you, I convey my greetings and best wishes to the
people of the State.
2. The House has
already expressed its deep condolence on the sad demise of K. R. Narayanan,
Ex-President of India, Prasanna Kumar Das, Ex-Speaker, Harihar Bahinipati,
Ex-Deputy Speaker, Birendra Kumar Sahu, Mayadhar Sethy, Mandangi Kamaya,
Biswanath Mallick, Mochiram Tiria, Baishnab Charan Mallick, Gokulananda Praharaj,
Biraja Prasad Ray, former members of the House. I would request you to join me
in paying homage to Md. Muzafer
Hussain Khan, Ex-Minister, and Prasanna Kumar Paul, Dharanidhar Pradhan and
Jogendra Naik, Ex-members of the House who are no more with us.
The House conveys our heart-felt condolence to the bereaved families and
will always remember their selfless service.
It is also in the fitness of things that we remember the supreme
sacrifice made by the brave JAWANS OF THE INDIAN ARMED FORCES, particularly
those belonging to our State namely, Tapas Kumar Mallick, Suryamani Behera,
Laxmidhar Routray, Pradeep Kumar Mishra, Sanjib Kumar Sahoo.
We salute them for their exemplary and selfless service for the security
of our nation.
My Government is concerned about the recent unfortunate happenings at
Kalinga Nagar arising out of land acquisition which resulted in the death of 12
tribals and a policeman. In order to resolve the situation amicably and draw out
a long-term Resettlement and Rehabilitation Policy of tribals and other land
issues, my Government has constituted a Group of Ministers to have a thorough
look into the existing policy and make suggestions for a comprehensive policy
after broad-based consultations.
3. My Government has taken a number of steps to correct the
structural imbalances in the State Finances
after signing MoU with Department of Expenditure, Government of India.
State’s own tax to GSDP ratio has increased from 4.4% in 1999-2000 to
6.4% in 2003-04 and 7.2% in
2004-05. The Revenue Deficit has also been reduced from about Rs.2574 crore in
1999-2000 to Rs.1420 crore in 2003-04 and Rs.522 crore in 2004-05. This
represents reduction of Revenue Deficit as a percentage of GSDP from 6.7% to
2.6% and 0.91%. The Fiscal Deficit has been reduced from Rs. 3836 crore (9.7%)
in 1999-2000 to Rs.2469 crore (4.6%) in 2003-04 and Rs.1365 crore (2.37%) in
2004-05. We have been able to bring down the fiscal deficit to less than 3% of
GSDP as envisaged in Medium Term Fiscal
Plan. The Debt stock which was 341% of total revenue in 2001-02 has been reduced
to 335% in 2003-04 and 288% in 2004-05. Similarly, the limited success we have
achieved in arresting the deteriorating fiscal situation needs no room for
complacency. Orissa still continues to have the highest Debt-GSDP ratio of about
62% as on 31.03.2003 and 59% as on 31.03.2005 against the all states’ average
of 34% as on 31.03.2003 and the sustainable level of 28% recommended by the 12th
Finance Commission. Similarly, our
State had the highest ratio of Interest Payment to Revenue Receipt at about 35%
in 2002-03 and 28% in 2004-05 against the all States’ average of 24% in
2002-03 and recommended level of 15%. Pension expenditure in case of Orissa is
also quite high. In case of Orissa, pension expenditure as percentage of GSDP
was 2.21% in 2002-03 compared to all State’s average of 1.5% as worked out by
the 12th Finance Commission. In case of Orissa, Salary expenditure as
percentage of revenue expenditure net of interest payment and pension was about
65% against all States’ average of 37% in 2002-03. The 12th Finance
Commission has recommended that the total salary bill of the State Government
relative to revenue expenditure net of interest payment and pension should not
exceed 35%. I want to stress that what is critical is sustainability of fiscal
correction. Fiscal Correction must aim at enhancing growth and investment. We
must realise that only by correcting the macro imbalance can the State release
additional resource for development. Enactment of Orissa Fiscal Responsibility
and Budget Management Act, 2005 is one step in this direction. What is crucial
and important is the need for a consensus among all sections, to carry forward
fiscal correction with a view to accelerating the pace of development.
4. Tenth Five Year Plan (2002-07) for Orissa had an overall outlay
of Rs.19,000 crore. Because of resource constraints, allocation of Rs.7,764.50
crore could be made during the first three years. Against this, expenditure of
Rs.7,649.74 crore has been made which is 98.52 % of the outlay. For the year
2005-06 an outlay of Rs.3,000 crore was approved by the Planning Commission. The
Annual Plan 2006-07 has been fixed at Rs.3,500 crore which is 16.6% more
than that of 2005-06.
My Government has constituted the Western Orissa Development Council (WODC)
covering 10 districts, namely, Baragarh, Bolangir, Boudh, Deogarh, Jharsuguda,
Kalahandi, Nuapada, Sambalpur, Sonepur, Sundergarh and Athamallik Sub-Division
of Angul in order to mitigate the regional imbalance and to accelerate the pace
of development in these districts. My Government is providing Rs.50 crore every
year to the Western Orissa Development Council.
NABARD sanctions loans for construction of various infrastructure
projects under the Rural Infrastructure Development Fund (RIDF). The RIDF
is being implemented under different tranche. My Government has proposed
to take up 590 projects incurring an expenditure amounting to Rs.1,561 crore for
the current tranche i.e. RIDF-XI. Besides, NABARD has sanctioned projects worth
Rs.317 crore under Biju Krushak Vikas Yojana.
A Revised Long Term Action Plan (RLTAP) for the KBK Districts prepared in
consultation with the Government of India is under implementation with the core
objectives of drought proofing, development saturation, poverty alleviation and
improved quality of life of the people. During 2005-06, the Planning Commission,
Government of India, approved Annual Action Plan with Rs.250 crore as Special
Central Assistance (SCA) for implementation of programme contents of RLTAP. For
the year 2006-07, SCA of the order of Rs.275 crore has been projected for
implementation of RLTAP in KBK Districts. This year, there would be a separate
district window in this Plan which would allow much more devolution of powers to
the districts in the field of planning, implementation and monitoring. My
Government has so far received SCA of Rs.67.50 crore under Backward Districts
Initiatives (BDI) of Rastriya Sam Vikas Yojana (RSVY). Special Central
Assistance (SCA) of Rs.60 crore has been released to these five districts for
implementation of approved Integrated District Perspective Plans. Rs.22.50 crore
and Rs.15 crore has been released in favour of Ganjam and Mayurbhanj Districts
respectively. Rs.22.50 crore ( at the rate of
Rs.7.50 crore each) has been released in favour of Gajapati, Keonjhar and
Sundargarh Districts. In Ganjam District 74 road projects, 55 irrigation
projects, 64 building projects, 28 fishery projects and 65 water supply projects
have been completed by 30.9.05. In Mayurbhanj District, 46 water supply and
sanitation projects, 2 sericulture programmes, 92 DW / WHS projects, 2 road
projects, 100 bore wells and 1 eco-tourism project have been completed. In
Gajapati, Keonjhar and Sundargarh Districts,
different projects are under progress. It has been decided to formulate a
separate Tribal Sub-Plan for Scheduled Tribes and a Special Component Plan for
Scheduled Castes from the year 2006-07 which would have outlays at least
proportionate to or more than the ratio of the population of these two
categories to the total population.
My Government is constantly monitoring the progress under MPLAD and
MLALAD funds. An outlay of Rs.350 crore has
been made by my Government for implementation of seven on-going Externally Aided
Projects (EAPs) and 11 Pipeline Projects in the Annual Plan for 2005-06 in
several sectors including Health, Revenue, Welfare of ST & SC, Works, Rural
Development, Housing & Urban and Water Resources. My Government anticipates
to mobilize resources of the order of Rs.836.45 crore during the year 2006-07
for implementation of six on-going and sixteen Pipeline Projects.
My Government has accorded very high priority on generation of
self-employment through various Self-Employment Programmes. The target for the
Annual Plan period, 2005-06 is to generate self-employment and associated wage
employment opportunities for 3.81 lakh persons. The achievement under various
self-employment programmes made so far during the current year is 1.06 lakh (up
to October, 2005). Keeping in view the growing unemployment problem, my
Government has formulated a State Employment Policy and also constituted the
State Employment Mission under the Chairmanship of Hon’ble Chief Minister
during the current financial year.
5. Our State’s
economy is primarily agricultural and over 70% of the households are dependent
on agriculture for their livelihood. Reduction in Poverty and improving the
economic conditions of our people therefore depends crucially on a quantum
increase in the incomes of agricultural households.
My Government accords the highest priority to developing the agriculture
sector. All our efforts will therefore be made for facilitating development of
our agriculture and achieving significant increases in agricultural production
and productivity. The need for a paradigm shift from traditional agriculture to
commercial cultivation of cash crops, particularly horticulture, is now well
recognized. Our extension efforts
in this regard will be redoubled and strategic
interventions geared to
achieving such a shift.
There is need for up-gradation of crop production technologies adopted by
our farmers and adoption of integrated nutrient management and pest management
practices. Extension work will be stepped up and Farmers’ Training
Programme, Farmers’ Field Schools and Demonstration will be conducted under
the Work Plan for Macro-Management of Agriculture, ISOPOM, ICDP(Cotton) and
other programmes for bringing the advanced crop production technologies and
packages of practices to the door-step for the farmers. There is tremendous
scope for diversification to horticultural crops due to our suitable
agro-climatic conditions. On-going programmes for horticulture development are
being implemented through newly launched National Horticulture Mission (NHM)
during 2005-06 and the Revised Long-term Action Plan (RLTAP) for KBK during
2005-06. 12.5 lakh grafts of mango, guava, litchi, sapota, kagji lime, orange,
pineapple and other fruits, ten lakh grafts of cashew and 2.5 lakh vegetable
minikits have been supplied to the farmers for taking up fruits and vegetable
crops in their fields. 300 quintals of quality onion seeds has also been
distributed to cover 7500 acres under onion crop. Besides procurement of 30 lakh
suckers of banana from farmers field is in progress. There is programme to
construct 8000 small onion storage structure during 2005-06.
Plans have been drawn up for stepping up supplies of quality planting
material of mango, orange, litchi and other fruit trees and banana suckers and
tissue culture for propagating substantially. For encouraging floriculture in
the State and educating farmers in the production technologies of different
commercial flowers, 2625 demonstrations as on December, 2005 on rose, gladioli
and marigold were held this year under newly launched National Horticulture
Mission. This will be stepped up
substantially and over 60,000 demonstrations will be held next year.
It is also planned to supply over 168 lakh saplings of Marigold, Rose,
Gladioli etc. along with about 2500 quintals of bulbs for Tuberose for meeting
the farmers need for quality planting material. My Government has taken up a
programme for assisting farmers to create captive irrigation potential in their
fields through installation of Shallow and Medium Tube Wells and Bore Wells by
availing Loan from NABARD. Over 38,000 wells were installed by December, 2005
and about 12000 wells have been planned for 2006-07.
Besides, a programme has been launched in 2005-06 to help farmers to dig
up irrigation ponds within their holdings for better rainwater management in
which about 2842 nos. such irrigation ponds have been completed.
Farm mechanisation has become popular in the State.
Subsidy is being provided on tractors, power-tillers and other farm
equipment as well as setting up Agro Services Centres for private entrepreneurs
for custom leasing of farm equipments to the local farmers.
During 2005-06, so far 1150 power-tillers, 550 tractors and 113 reapers
have been provided. Development of the micro- watershed in drought prone areas
of the State for drought-proofing and improving the moisture regime has been
accorded high priority. 2413 micro-
watersheds with a total treatable area of about 13 lakh hectares are being
developed currently under various schemes such as Drought Prone Area Programme,
Integrated Watershed Development Programme, National Watershed Development
Project in Rainfed Areas, River Valley Project, Revised Long Term Action Plan
for KBK and the DFID assisted Western Orissa Rural Livelihoods Programme. There
is a programme to treat 1.5 lakh hectares during 2006-07 under all the above
schemes with active involvement of the beneficiary agricultural families. To
ensure minimum support price to farmers for their surplus paddy,
Government has decided to procure 20 lakh MTs of rice during the current
Kharif Marketing Season 2005-06. Out
of this, paddy equivalent to at least 5 lakh MTs of rice shall be procured by
the State Agencies namely Orissa State Civil Supplies Corporation Ltd., Primary
Agriculture Co-operative Societies (PACs), MARKFED and NAFED under decentralized
procurement scheme and paddy for the balance rice will be procured by the
millers under levy route. In
addition to above Food Corporation of India has been requested to procure paddy
equivalent to 2 Lakh MTs of rice.
6. It has been the consistent endeavour of my Government to
increase the irrigation potential of the State by way of completing ongoing
Major, Medium and Minor Irrigation Projects and taking up new projects. Six
Irrigation projects were identified for completion during 2005-06 with targeted
irrigation potential of 12685 hectares against which 4 projects have already
been completed and balance 2 projects will be completed by end of the irrigation
year. Similarly three irrigation
projects are identified for completion with a target to create an additional
irrigation potential of
18215 hectares during
2006-07. During 2005-06, it
has been targeted to create additional irrigation potential of 10589 hectares
under Minor Irrigation sector, out of which 2665
hectares are to be in TSP area. For
2006-07, it has been targeted to create irrigation potential of 12050 hectares,
out of which 6800 hectares are to be in TSP area.
During 2005-06 Orissa Lift Irrigation Corporation (OLIC) has taken up
works for execution of 500 new Lift Irrigation Points (LIPs) under Biju Krushak
Vikash Yojana (BKVY) in both KBK & non-KBK districts with target to create
an additional irrigation potential of 10,000 hectares.
During 2006-07 it is proposed to set up 1000 new LIPs to create an
additional irrigation potential of 20,000 hectares. By January, 2006, 13397 Pani Panchayats have been formed in
the State covering an area of 10.40 lakh hectares.
Out of the above 11,583 Pani Panchayats have taken over operation and
maintenance of Canal system covering an area of 7.81 lakh hectares. Many
projects in the areas of flood control and anti-sea erosion programme, drainage
improvement works, ground water quality monitoring and roof-top rain harvesting
structures have been taken up.
My Government is preparing an Irrigation Master Plan so as to bring
minimum 35% of the cultivable area in each block under irrigation within a time
frame of 5 years. Further a Master
Plan is also being prepared to connect habitations having population of 1000 and
above in non-tribal areas and 500 and above in tribal areas with all-weather
roads. The funds for all these will
be dovetailed with the existing ongoing schemes and the balance requirement will
be provided from the State’s own resources.
7. My Government seeks to promote Animal Husbandry, Poultry &
Pisciculture in the State by adopting new scientific technology. Following the objectives set out in “State Agriculture
Policy”, greater emphasis has been laid to increase production of milk, fish
and meat. The total milk production per day in the State is about 36 lakh litres,
which is up by 3 lakh litres as compared to last year’s production. To promote
dairy farming and increase milk production, all 30 districts of the State have
been covered by OMFED. OMFED has substantially increased its daily procurement
to 2.70 lakh litres. “Women Dairy Projects” have been taken up in 17
districts through OMFED under STEP programme for women.
In the State, about 2 lakh farmers have been engaged in milk production
through cooperatives. 837 “Women
Dairy Cooperative Societies” comprising 60,287 women have been organized in
the State and 2,604 Cooperative Societies have been formed in the State.
Under RLTAP, Rs.350 lakh have been released in the current year for milk
production and allied activities in the KBK districts.
My Government hopes to achieve milk procurement of 3.50 lakh litre per
day by OMFED and to create self employment for 10,000 rural farmers during the
year 2006-07. My Government has taken steps to help raise poultry and egg
production to increase income of the farmers and enhance nutritional status of
people. The Government is keen to strengthen livestock disease control
mechanism. Our State has achieved great success in various schemes
designed to step up fish production in Inland, Brackish Water and Marine Sector.
Government have approved the “State Reservoir Fishery Policy” for
Scientific Pisciculture in Reservoirs and have decided that G.P. Tanks shall be
settled with Self-Help groups on long-term basis for taking up Semi-Intensive
Pisciculture. Fish production (Inland & Marine) was 3.07 lakh MT in 2003-04,
which has
increased to 3.15 lakh MT during 2004-05. During 2005-06, 13 Reservoirs
having water-spread area of 5709 hectares have been taken up for pisciculture
development in KBK districts under Revised Long Term Action Plan (RLTAP).
During 2005-06, 101 reservoirs have been taken under pisciculture through
Fishermen Cooperative Societies and Self Help Groups.
8. My Government is concerned about the
non-completion of the elections to remaining co-operative societies at different
levels which are overdue. Efforts will be made to complete the same by July 2,
2006. My Government has implemented short-term Co-operative Credit Structure in
the State with a view to double the agricultural credit in 3 years with
2003-2004 as base year. The crop loan investment in the State has registered an
impressive growth of 29% during 2004-05 and 34% in Kharif 2004-05.
About 24.25 lakh Kisan Credit Card (KCCs) have been issued to farmers out
of which 2.23 lakh KCCs have been issued during 2005-2006 till 31.12.2005. KCC
holders who repay their loans regularly for two consecutive years are being
issued Kalinga Kissan
Gold Cards (KKGC).
Upto December 2005 about
1.27 lakh KKGCs have been issued out of which 0.32 lakh cards have been issued
during 2005-2006 upto 31.12.2005. Kalinga Kissan Silver Cards(KKSC) are issued
to KCC holders who have made timely repayment of their loans for at least one
year. So far 1.21 lakh KKCs have been
issued till December 2005. During
2005-06, by the end of December 2005, a total amount of Rs.15.04 crore has been
disbursed towards indemnity of crop loss to farmers under crop insurance scheme.
During the year 2005-06, Government have fixed a target for procurement
of 1,50,000 M.T. of paddy through the network of the Co-operatives in the State,
out of which 1,00,000 M.T. of paddy will be procured through Primary
Agricultural Co-operative Society (P.A.C.S.) and 50,000 M.T. of paddy through
the State Co-operative Marketing Federation (MARKFED).
9. As forests play a major role in providing livelihood support to
forest fringe dwellers, including those belonging to very vulnerable sections of
the society, my Government has been focusing on programmes both for providing
livelihood support as well as increasing forest wealth of the State, and for
promotion of environmental awareness among the people. There are 9,549 Van
Samrakshyan Samiti (VSS) involved in joint forest management for forest
protection, conservation and development of over 8,431 sq km of degraded
forests. The Protected Area Network of Wildlife Sanctuaries and National
Parks covers 6,611 sq km of land area and 20 km wide marine habitat of 1,408 sq
km marine area in Gahirmatha Marine Sanctuary. During 2005-06, the afforestation
programme has been implemented in the State under different State Plan,
Central Plan and Centrally Sponsored Plan schemes over a total area of 19,090
hectares. State Medicinal Plants Board is promoting medicinal plant cultivation.
So far financial support has been provided for medicinal and herbal plantation
in 1000 acres of private land. Additionally,
3200 hectares of compensatory afforestation has been taken up against forest
diversion projects. The Kendu Leaf trade generates employment of above 150 lakh
mandays every year. 9 lakh pluckers have been benefited
from Kendu Leaf collection during the season. My Government during
current year with revised Sale Policy has brought improvement in trade of Kendu
Leaf. Bamboo working, a potential employment generation activity in
forests, has commenced in current season timely in all districts having bamboo
forests. Through its activities,
the Forest Department has been able to generate more than 55 lakh mandays. The
Chilka Development Authority
has been
undertaking activities and programmes of
strategic partnership with stakeholders for
its outstanding work on
eco-restoration of Chilka lagoon. My
Government will continue to keep a strict vigil on air and water pollution.
Ban on use of polythene of less than 20 microns has been
imposed. Three Appellate Authorities
under Water
Act, Air Act and Bio-medical
Rules to hear appeals preferred against orders passed by the Pollution Control
Board have been constituted and have started functioning.
10. My Government has taken necessary steps to implement Rajiv
Gandhi Grameen Vidyuti Karan Yojana (RGGVY) launched by the Government of India
to provide access to electricity to all rural households during next five years.
The Scheme envisages 90% grant and 10% loan.
My Government has signed an agreement on 5th October, 2005
with REC Ltd., the CPSUs like POWERGRID, NTPC & NHPC and the State Power
Utilities (CESCO, NESCO, WESCO & SOUTHCO) for implementation of RGGVY in the
State. Under Minimum Need Programme (MNP), 4696 villages, hamlets and dalit
bastis were programmed to be electrified. Out of this, electrification of 2965
villages and hamlets have been completed by December 2005. GRIDCO has become
surplus in power, after meeting the power requirement of the State.
During current year by December, 2005. it has sold
surplus power to the tune of Rs.420 crore to Power Trading Corporation
and National Vidyut Vyapar Nigam. Orissa
Power Generation Corporation with two Thermal Units at Ib Valley is operating at
a high degree of efficiency. During
current year, it has achieved Plant Load Factor (PLF) of 85%.
It has also paid an interim dividend of Rs.31.25 crore to the State
Government during the current year. 7 projects with estimated cost of Rs.592 crore have been
approved by Govt. of India for implementation of Accelerated Power Development
& Reform Programme (APDRP) scheme in the State.
Out of the above estimated cost, 50% would be available from Govt. of
India in equal proportion, in shape of loan and grant.
Other 50% of the project cost would be arranged by the implementing
agencies either from their own resources or availing loan from any financial
institution, as counterpart funding by November 2005. Most of Rs.74 crore
assistance received from the Government of India has been utilised under APDRP.
11. Steel and aluminium makers of national and international
repute have shown keen interest in establishing plants in the State. My
Government has already signed 43 Memoranda of Understanding for setting up steel
plants with an
investment of
about Rs. 1,37,000 crore for
production of
about 58 million tonnes of
steel per annum. For the first time in the history of Orissa, a reputed and well
established foreign company, M/s POSCO India Project (P) Ltd. which is one of
the largest producers of steel in the world, have signed an MoU for setting up a
mega steel
plant having a capacity of 12 million tonnes per annum with an investment
of about US$ 12 billion. Out of 43 MoUs signed, 19 companies have signed MoUs in
the current financial year with an investment of about Rs. 96,000 crore to
produce about 35 million tonnes of steel per annum. An Agreement has also been
signed with the reputed Aditya Birla Group for setting up an Alumina refinery of
1 million tonne per annum along with smelter.
For the year 2005-06, the Orissa Mining Corporation has set for itself a
production target of 51.20 lakh tonnes for various minerals. This represents a
33% increase in production over the previous year. The iron ore production is
slated to touch a peak of 43
lakh tonnes in the financial year 2005-06 which represents a more than 40%
increase as compared to the iron ore production of 2004-05.
My Government has undertaken investigations for assessment of heavy
minerals in beach sand along the Puri coast, exploration for gemstone in
Bolangir and Bargarh districts, exploration for bauxite in Koraput &
Kandhamal districts, investigation for tungsten, investigation for graphite in
Angul & Dhenkanal districts, development of natural resources in Keonjhar
district and has conducted mineral potential survey in Jharsuguda district.
Effective steps are being taken for enforcement of the Orissa Mineral Act
1989 to curb illegal mining activities and trading of ores and minerals and to
prevent leakage of revenue.
12. My Government is committed to create an industry-enabling and
investor-friendly climate in the State with a view to accelerating industrial
development, employment opportunities and economic growth. Keeping the above
objectives in view, my Government has introduced a single window clearance
mechanism by enacting Orissa Industries (Facilitation) Act, 2004 ensuring
clearance of investment proposals in a time-bound manner and rationalization of
inspections. The mechanism has already been operationalised at the State level.
Orissa has emerged as favourite destination for the national as well as
trans-national investors, particularly in the mineral sector.
Since 2003-2004, 46 numbers of companies have already signed MoUs, out of
which 43 are in the Steel sector with a total capacity of 58.14 MTPA and
investment of about Rs.137156 crore and two companies are in the Aluminium
sector with an investment of more than Rs.25000 crore. Indian Oil Corporation is
also setting up a Refinery and Petrochemical complex of 12 MTPA capacity at
Paradeep with an investment of about Rs.25000 crore. Out of the 43 steel
companies who have signed MoU, 14 companies with an investment of about Rs.10750
crore have already commenced partial commercial production as of December, 2005.
These companies have created direct employment opportunities for about 10000
persons. The construction work of another 22 companies is going on as per
programme and they are likely to commence commercial production during 2006. The
employment position in these Industries is being monitored. My Government is
committed to improve the skill level of existing manpower through skill
development training in collaboration with existing industries in the State in
order to ensure assured supply of qualified and competent personnel required by
the industries. My Government is also committed to promote the ancillary and
downstream industries in the State particularly for the Steel, Aluminium and
Refinery Projects. To ensure the improvement of quality of technical education,
BPUT has signed an MoU with IIT, Kharagpur to obtain assistance for facility
development and strengthening post-graduate and research programmes in various
Engineering and allied disciplines. In order to support the massive investments,
it is necessary to improve infrastructure facilities. A policy is being
formulated by my Government for expediting infrastructure development to attract
private sector investment. Government of India is also being requested to
support infrastructure development
for proposed investments in Orissa.
My Government is making efforts for the revival and promotion of SSI,
Medium Scale Industries, Handicrafts and Cottage Industries. Cluster development
strategy has been adopted for different handicraft clusters. Considering the
huge employment potential in the rural sector of the State, emphasis is also
placed on development of khadi and village industries.
My Government is committed to ensure sustainable livelihood to the highly skilled weavers and sericulture farmers of Orissa. We are committed to take the products of Orissa Handlooms to rest of the country and the world by standardizing production, achieving product diversification and strengthening the production base by technological interventions at the weavers’ end. Marketing will be strengthened by participation in international events and introduction of e-commerce. During 2005-06 (upto December, 2005), 1,15,216 persons have received sustainable employment in the Handloom and Sericulture Sector. This number will increase to 1,51,750 in 2006-07. The main objective of the Sector will be to bring greater areas under sericulture farming, generate more employment in sericulture activities and strengthen the viable Weavers’ Cooperatives by actively following up on their financial conditions in 2006-07.
13. My Government has made significant strides in the field of
Information Technology. After signing of MoUs,
TCS and WIPRO have already acquired land in Infocity, Bhubaneswar. TCS
has also finalized its campus development plan for Bhubaneswar and shall be
starting work during this calendar year. Hexaware Technologies has already
applied for land in Infocity and MindTree Consulting is also in the process of
applying for land. All these companies shall directly employ about 5000 Software
Professionals in the State within the first two years of their operation i.e. by
2007-08 besides creating substantial employment indirectly. These professionals
shall also contribute significantly to the growth of local economy. My
Government has also taken special efforts for bringing in a completely
transparent and efficient system of tendering and procurement. e-Procurement
system is accordingly being taken up for implementation jointly by Govt. of
Orissa, National Institute for Smart Government (NISG), Hyderabad and National
Informatics Centre (NIC). The Government of Orissa has also got the approval
from Department of Information Technology, Govt. of India for setting up a State
Wide Area Network (SWAN) which would connect the State Headquarters with all
District Headquarters, Sub-division Headquarters, Block Headquarters and Tehsil
Headquarters with a 2 mbps dedicated line.
SWAN is a core e-Governance infrastructure
which will facilitate my Government in door step delivery of various
citizen centric services. The roadmap for e-Governance for Orissa is likely to
be completed by the end of this financial year. The Oriya language pack under
the programme “Technology Development for Indian Languages” (TDIL) is also
nearing completion and is likely to be released on the Utkal Divas this year. This would enable Oriya
Language computing and would therefore open new doors of opportunity for the
entire populace of Orissa. Project
e-Sishu which aims at creating a database of the 3 pillars of education namely
children, teachers and schools has been taken up by OPEPA and is jointly being
executed by OCAC and OPEPA. This would help in achieving our goal of
universalisation of primary
education and ensuring that no child in Orissa is left out of school.
14. My Government lays a great emphasis on promotion of Science
and Technology in emerging areas. Gramsat Pilot Project is being implemented in
the State to provide satellite communication in remote areas. Under this project
direct reception sets in the State capital, all District Headquarters, all Block
Headquarters and 1179 Grampanchayat Headquarters in KBK Districts have been
installed. Edusat programme
launched in the State on 01.10.2005 has been operationalised in four Schools in
Koraput District. Bio-technology is
a frontier area of technology with immense benefits to society in diverse areas.
Considering the diversified resources of the State, this cutting edge
technology has a potential to make a significant contribution to the economy of
the State. An Investors Meet on Biotechnology was organized on 4th
July 2005 at Bhubaneswar to attract the potential Biotechnology Entrepreneurs to
set up Biotechnology Investment in the State.
My Government is taking steps to set up Bio-IT Park at Bhubaneswar.
Biotechnology Policy is going to be finalised shortly for growth
of Biotechnology
sector in the State.
My Government is creating
awareness among the
common people
about renewable
non-conventional resources of energy and their application in daily life.
6474 remote un-electrified census villages have been identified in the state
based on the survey conducted by the Ministry of Non-Conventional Energy
Sources. It is proposed to cover electrification of 1000 remote village during
2006-07. The 13th
National Children’s Science Congress was organised at Bubaneswar from 27th
to 31st December 2005 by the Science & Technology Department in
association with the Department of Science & Technology, Government of India
to inculcate scientific temper among children. This conference was inaugurated
by His Excellency, The President of
India. About 2000 children from
different parts of the country participated in the Conference. To facilitate
fundamental research in mathematics as well as nurturing of talent in
mathematics in the State my Government has taken steps to establish an Institute
of Mathematics as a Centre of excellence at Bhubaneswar .
15. My Government has pursued the policy of selective
privatisation and disinvestment of loss-making public and co-operative
enterprises operating in ‘non-core’ sector. The primary objective of
Government’s privatisation policy is to revive potentially viable loss-making
enterprises. As a part of this
strategic policy choice, the State Government has consciously opted for a model
of privatisation to secure the interest of the workers and to create
opportunities for further job creation by catalysing the dynamism of the private
enterprises. The State Government
has also identified a set of ‘Core’ enterprises which will continue to
operate in the domain of the public sector. Efforts will be made by my
Government to provide these enterprises optimum managerial autonomy so that they
can run on sound commercial principles. My
Government shall endeavour to institute a system of good corporate governance
practices in these core enterprises so as to enhance transparency and
accountability in their operations and stimulate their performance. In
accordance with the above strategic policy choice, my Government has taken up a
comprehensive Public Enterprises Reform Programme with a human face with the
primary objectives of enhancing efficiency in resource allocation, reducing
fiscal burden entailed by the loss-making enterprises and to protect the
interest of the workers. A grant of
30 million pounds has been committed by the DFID of the UK Government to assist
the State Government in carrying out this comprehensive Public Enterprises
Reform Programme. My Government is extending financial assistance to the Public
Sector Undertakings to implement their Voluntary Retirement Scheme (VRS)/Voluntary
Separation Scheme (VSS). During the year 2005-06, an amount of Rs.21.79 crore
has been disbursed so far to 6323 (fresh 525 + arrear salary 5798) number of
employees of State PSUs under Voluntary Retirement Scheme / Voluntary Separation
Scheme.
16. My Government believes that rural connectivity is a key
component of rural development, which contributes significantly to increase in
agricultural income and productive employment opportunity. Under Pradhan Mantri
Gram Sadak Yojana(PMGSY), 4067.15 km of all-weather roads have been constructed
to provide connectivity to unconnected habitations.
It has been targeted to construct another 1189 km of all-weather roads by
March 2006. With NABARD assistance,
151 bridges and 368 km roads have been completed. Construction of another 75 bridges and 687 km roads has been
taken up. Out of this 31 bridges and 168 km
roads are targeted to be completed this year. It is proposed to complete 25 bridges and 390 km roads during
2006-07. During the year 2005-06, 4
bridges have been completed under RLTAP for KBK districts and construction of 4
more bridges is likely to be completed by March’ 2006.
My Government attaches very high priority to augment availability of safe
drinking water in rural areas. In the last 5 years, 63011 tube wells and 2640
sanitary wells have been installed in rural Orissa, and a safe source of
drinking water provided in 17600 Not Covered
(New and slipped) and 4598 Partially Covered habitations and also 13624 rural
schools. Besides, 626 piped- water
supply projects have been commissioned to address quality and quantity problem
in water supply. During 2005-06 (upto December), 8382 hand pump tube wells along
with 223 sanitary wells have been installed and 112 piped-water supply projects
completed and provision of safe drinking water has been made in 4241 NC as well
as 1418 PC habitations and 2522 rural schools.
Under the participatory and community led Swajaldhara, 288 drinking water
supply projects have been completed. Rural Water Supply programme for 2006-07
will continue to focus on providing a safe source of drinking water in remaining
NC / PC habitations and rural schools and addressing water quality problem in
the affected habitations. In order to improve sanitation coverage in the State,
Total Sanitation Campaign (TSC) is being carried out in all the 30 districts
with a total project cost of about Rs. 440 crore. The programme aims at creating
an enabling environment to promote use of toilet facility by all rural
Households, School students &
Anganwadi children. 8.22 lakh individual household latrines (IHLs), 7994 school
toilets and 296 anganwadi toilets have been installed under this programme.
17.
My Government is committed to improve physical connectivity in the State
by construction, improvement, repair & maintenance of roads and bridges of
State Highways, National Highways and Major District Roads(MDR). During 2005-06,
my Government has completed 8 bridges and 221 Km. of roads utilising Rs.8716
lakh (by December 2005) under different schemes such as NABARD assisted, RIDF,
Central Road Fund (CRF), RLTAP for KBK region and State Plan. For providing
quality road infrastructure to places of tourist importance and cultural
heritage and to attract the tourists from all over the country and outside my
Government has taken several steps for improvement and strengthening of road
connectivity by utilising one-time Additional Central Assistance made available
by the Planning Commission, Government of India. All 7 road projects with
length of 133 Km. have
been improved during the year 2004-05
out of the ACA allotted in the year 2003-04.
Further, Government of India has sanctioned Rs.43.5 Crore during 2004-05
and Rs.17 crore for 2005-06 to take up 6 road projects and 2 industrial road
projects with a total length of 100 Km. My Government has taken up 5 road
projects namely Bisoi -Tiringi – Tata road, Jaypur-Koraput – Malkanagiri –
Mottu road and Nayagarh – Khandapara road, Circular Road of Angul Town
and Nayagarh – Odagaon – Lahukhal Road with estimated cost of
Rs.21.73 crore with the help of funds released by the Government of India. With
a view to provide quality road for the upcoming industries in the State, my
Government is improving Naranpur – Pandapara – Harichandanpur –
Brahmanipal – Duburi road under Economic Importance Scheme with an estimated
cost of Rs.210 crore in 3 years commencing from 2005-06 with the help of the
Planning Commission and the Government of India. It has been decided to improve
the Cuttack – Paradeep Road with concrete pavement at an estimated cost of
Rs.132 crore. The Paradeep Port
Trust, OMC and Indian Oil Corporation have been requested to provide funds for
the same. To improve road
infrastructure in the State Capital, road from Air Port to Damana Chhak has been
taken up and a sub-way connecting the Market Building with Unit-1 Market has
been completed and opened to public this year.
Under Orissa State Road Project, 7 road projects covering 825 Kms with an
estimated cost of Rs.1200 crore will be taken up under World Bank assistance.
My Government has proposed to the Government of India for Mottu –
Malkangiri – Jashipur – Rairangpur Road (Part of Vijayawada – Ranchi) as a
National Highway. This road cutting
through the National Highway-43, measuring a length of 1215 Km. runs from Mottu
in Malkangiri district and serves as a lifeline of economic activities for the
tribal population. This proposal is
under consideration of the Government of India.
My Government has planned to complete 22 bridges and improve 475 Kms. of
PWD roads under various schemes with an outlay of Rs.233 crore during 2006-07.
18. My Government has decided to develop Gopalpur Port as an
all-weather port through a private developer. Selection of Private Developer by
RITES is under progress and shall be finalized shortly.
To establish a big port of international standard at Dhamara, L&T and
TISCO have jointly taken up the work and will commence construction shortly.
For the development of inland water transport in Orissa, various
activities have been taken up from the funds sanctioned under the Centrally
Sponsored Scheme. My Government is in constant touch with the Government of
India to expand railway network and run new trains considering the rapid
industrialization and better amenities in the State. Electrification of the
railway routes from Kharagpur to Vizagpatanam has been completed and
commissioned from December, 2005. The Railways have introduced 3 new trains,
namely, Sampark-Kranti Express bi-weekly between Bhubaneswar and New Delhi, new
DMU Passenger Train between Berhampur to Cuttack – Jajpur - Keonjhar Road and
a Passenger Train from Cuttack to Paradip during 2005-06. Two new trains are
sanctioned during the year i.e. Rupsa - Bangiriposi D.M.U. (after conversion)
and Bhubaneswar- Sambalpur Express. Frequency of some important long distance
Express Trains have been extended. My Government is committed to provide an
efficient and transparent administration in the transport sector. Ten RTO
offices and seven check-gates along with the State Transport Authority have been
computerized. Smart Card based Driving Licences and Registration Certificates
will be issued in all the RTO offices very soon. O.S.R.T.C. continues to
consolidate its financial and operating situation through various measures.
19. My Government accords high priority for development and
promotion of tourism in the State for economic growth and employment.
Media Management Agency and Event Managers have been identified to take
up publicity and examine tourism events professionally.
A new logo for Orissa has also been adopted to reposition and rebrand
Orissa as a vibrant tourist destination. The Orissa Tourism Website has been
refurnished. Strategic tourism projects such as Peace Park at Dhauli under
Destination Development, Infrastructure Development in the Budhist Circuit
comprising Ratnagiri, Lalitgiri, Udayagiri and Langudi under Travel Circuit
Scheme and Endogenous Tourism Development at Pipili under Rural Development
Scheme have been taken up. A special tourism area is being developed between
Puri & Chilika through IDCO for development of up-market tourism. Government
of India have already sanctioned 4 projects – Sakhigopal, Gopalpur and
Taptapani under Destination Tourism and Bhubaneswar-Dhauli-Puri-Konark are also
underway on the same lines as that of Ekamra Haat of Bhubaneswar. Proposals for
development of eco-tourism at Chilika and Bhitarakanika and Rural Tourism at
Balakati, Nuapatna, Mahendragiri, Manikapatna, Hirapur, Sadeibarini, Khiching,
Barpali & Padmanabhapur & Deomali - Jaipur - Upperkolab - Gupteswar -
Koraput - Nandapur-Subei & Chandipur – Talsari – Udayapur –
Chandaneswar – Remuna - Panchalingeswar-Nilagiri under Circuit Tourism have
already been submitted to the Government of India for consideration. For
promotion and marketing the tourism fairs and festivals are being supported on
regular basis. This year’s highlights include the Shree Kshetra Utsav at Puri,
Ekamra Utsav at Bhubaneswar, Konark Festival at Konark, etc. which showcased
tourism and cultural potentialities of Orissa. Orissa Tourism also participated
in Travel Trade Shows like Buddhist Festival at Bangkok, Leisure Moscow at
Moscow, WTM at London, PATA Convention at Kuala Lumpur, IATO
at Kochi, TTF at Kolkata,
Road Show at Raipur, etc. for promoting Orissa as a Tourist Destination in the
National and International market. Guide Training Programme continues to be
organized. Private Sector participation in augmenting tourism infrastructure is
being encouraged under which 373 guides have already been trained. As a part of
this policy, MOUs have been signed between Orissa Tourism and M/s Roots
Corporation Ltd., Mumbai and also with Laxmi Franklin Group for establishment of
hotels in the State. The Indi One hotel of the Roots Corporation at Bhubaneswar
is nearing completion. Orissa is poised to become one of the leading states of
the country in the tourism sector.
20. My Government aims at preserving, protecting and promoting the
rich cultural heritage of the State and devoting itself for promotion of Art and
Culture of different regions of the State. Schemes implemented by my Government
includes pension to Indigent Artists, financial assistance to distressed artists
from Artist Welfare Fund, preservation and protection of Ancient Monuments,
imparting training in the field of Art and Crafts, Songs and Music, Dance and
Drama, etc. My Government attaches
much focus to popularizing and strengthening the Folk Dance culture of the
State. Special attention is also
given by the State Government to organize an International Odissi Dance
Festival. Kalamandal, a multi-purpose Cultural Complex, is under construction at
Bhubaneswar with financial assistance of the Central and the State Government.
Under the Raja Ram Mohan Ray Library Foundation Scheme, book assistance,
storage, etc. are provided to the Rural Libraries and Gandhi Pathagar for giving
reading facilities to the students, research scholars and public.
Shri Jagannathyan is a novel venture undertaken by the State of Orissa
for the propagation and popularization of the consciousness of Sri Jagannath in
contemporary perception of Culture. The
Programme envisages to focus on Jagannath consciousness through intellectual and
spiritual interpretations in right perceptives as well as the artistic
expression that connect tradition with modernity. Further, by the efforts of my Government the 12th
Finance Commission have been pleased to provide Rs.50 crore for Heritage
Conservation in the State within a period of four years beginning from 2006-07.
21. My Government continues to give
priority to universalization of elementary education. 70.18 lakh of
children have been enrolled in the schools at elementary level. For better
planning & development of
education & health of children, Orissa Child Census, 2005 has been taken up
this year from October, 2005. The
State has shown impressive performance at national level for utilization of
funds under ‘Sarba Sikshya Abhiyan’. During 2005-06 my Government has
supplied 3.17 crore text books on time to 60,93,000
elementary students in Government Schools, Aided Schools & EGS
Centres free of cost through ‘Pustak Mela’. This year, my Government has
also supplied uniform to about 24.84 lakh girl students in Govt. elementary
schools free of cost through Village Education Committees in the ‘Uniform
Distribution Mela’ in respective schools. Oriya Bhasa Pratisthan has been
established for development and safeguarding of Oriya language & culture in
the State. For strengthening of teacher’s training, 7 Govt. ST Schools have
been upgraded to the status of DIETs and 6 ST Schools to the status of District
Resource Centre. 3 Teachers Training Colleges in tribal areas of Bhawanipatna,
Baripada & Rourkela have been upgraded to the College of Teachers Education
in the pattern of Govt. of India. To
supplement and complement elementary & secondary education a new programme
named Education Satellite (EDUSAT) has been launched in the State from October,
2005 to meet growing educational needs of the students & teachers.
22. My Government continues to improve facilities for higher
education and sports. The academic environment of the educational institutions
remained peaceful during the session. In
spite of resource constraints, my Government continues its financial support
through grant-in-aid to the aided non-Government Colleges. As a measure
to improve the quality of education, my Government has fixed an annual
calendar at +2 level for admission, election, examination, declaration of
results, vacation, etc. Similar calendar will be adopted for Degree Colleges.
My Government has taken effective steps to prevent private tuition
by the college
teachers in
both Government and non-Government
aided colleges. Promotion of Junior Lecturers of Government Colleges is being
taken up. To assess the quality of
the colleges more and more colleges are being put under assessment of the
National Association and Accreditation Council (NAAC). Five Non-Government Aided
Colleges have been declared as autonomous College.
Ravenshaw College will be upgraded to the status of Ravenshaw University.
New Vocational trades and Self-financing courses have been opened in Higher
Secondary Vocational Schools and general Colleges. Uniform dress code has been
adopted in general and Degree Colleges and well adopted by the students which
has drawn attention at the National level. The N.C.C Cadets of Orissa have shown
excellent performance at National Level. The
Youth Red Cross has done commendable job relating to creating awareness about
HIV / AIDS, holding First-Aid Centres and blood donation camp. Infrastructure in
different universities has been strengthened. My Government is giving full
encouragement to promote various Sports and Youth activities in the State.
23. My Government is committed to provide quality healthcare to the people of the State through Allopathy,
Homeopathy, Ayurveda and Unani systems of medicine. Besides, some National
Programmes on Major diseases like Leprosy, T.B., Aids, Malaria, Fileria,
Blindness and Polio are also implemented along
with various family welfare programmes. The National Rural Health Mission(NRHM)
has been launched in the State on 17th June, 2005 to provide
effective healthcare to the entire rural population in the State.
The State has decided to reach out to the village panchayats with the
innovative scheme of ASHA (Accredited Social Health Activist), who will be the
first point of health contact in the village (Population of 1000 people).
The key components under NRHM are provision of health activist in each
village, a village health plan prepared through a local team headed by a
Panchayat Representative, implementation of Janani Surakhya Yojana (JSY),
strengthening of rural hospital for effective curative care and integration of
health concerns with determinants of health like sanitation and hygiene,
nutrition and safe drinking water. So
far 6861 nos. of ASHA have already been selected in 30 districts in the state
against target of 12730 nos. It is
hoped that all the 12730 nos. of ASHA will be in position soon.
Under “NRHM” 2 CHCs of each district will be upgraded as per Indian
Public Health Standards. To
implement the Programme at the grassroots level, an untied fund of Rs.10,000/-
will be allotted to each Health Sub-Centre of the State and Panchayat Raj
Institutions (PRI) will be actively involved in the process of implementation.
With an objective to meet the shortage of doctors and rendering health
services to the people, Govt. has issued NOC in favour of 17 organizations for
establishment of Medical and Dental Colleges in the private sector.
To promote the Medical Colleges in Western Orissa by private
entrepreneurs, Govt. has decided in principle to provide 25 acres of land free
of premium and Rs.10 crore in 3 years on reimbursement
basis towards creation of infrastructure.
One Medical College with 100 seats and one Dental College with 60-intake
capacity have become functional during the academic year 2005-06 in private
sector. Efforts are being made for
increasing MBBS seats of S.C.B. Medical College,
Cuttack from 107
to 150 during the year
2006-2007.
24. Urban Population in the State has witnessed a growth of about
30% in the last decade. The increasing demand for better civic amenities and
infrastructural facilities in the urban areas has posed a challenge for the
Government. My Government is committed to meet this challenge and provide better
services to the people. About 660 million litres of drinking water is supplied
per day in 103 Urban Local Bodies benefiting urban population of nearly 4.5
million. Besides this, 16907 hand pumps have been provided in the urban areas to
cater to the needs of the weaker sections of society. Three major water supply
projects at Rourkela, Angul and Talcher are nearing completion. Water supply
project at Titilagarh has also been commissioned. It is targeted to complete and
commission four projects under RLTAP, namely augmentation of water supply to
Bolangir, Khariar Road, Nawarangpur and Jeypore towns. Under Accelerated Urban
Water Supply Programme, (AUWSP) nine schemes have been commissioned, seven
schemes have been partially commissioned, three schemes have been completed and
fifteen schemes are under progress in different ULBs of the State. The living
condition of Urban Slum Dwellers is being improved under National Slum
Development Programme (NSDP) in the State. Under Swarna Jayanti Sahari Rojgar
Yojana (SJSRY), the urban poor particularly women, SCs and STs and Physically
Handicapped persons are getting opportunities for self-employment. The Valmiki
Ambedkar Awas Yojana (VAMBAY) is being implemented in ULBs of the State for
providing dwelling units to the poor slum dwellers. My Government has taken
steps for preparation of Perspective Plan for Cuttack-Bhubaneswar Urban Complex
with the help of I.I.T., Kharagpur. This would promote balanced and planned
growth of the twin cities and the hinterland. Bhubaneswar and Puri have been
selected under the recently launched Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal
Mission (JNNURM). This would enable these ULBs to take up various projects in
the next seven years. The newly launched Urban Infrastructure Development Scheme
for Small and Medium Town (UIDSSMT) and Integrated Housing & Slum
Development Programme (IHSDP) are also going to be implemented in the State. My
Government is also committed to undertake various Urban Sector Reforms for
better resource mobilization, capacity building and to streamline the accounting
system in Urban Local Bodies. My Government has also initiated action for
construction of Housing and Commercial Complexes with Public-Private
Partnership. The Urban Local Bodies are going to take up scientific management
of solid waste with the help of the funds available under the 12th
Finance Commission Award. An Integrated Sewerage Management Project is going to
be taken up for Bhubaneswar City. Orissa State Housing Board would take up
various Social Housing Projects to meet the increasing demand for Urban Housing
in various parts of the State.
25. My Government is
keen to devolve powers and
responsibilities upon Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs) so as to enable them to
function as Institutions of Self-Governance as per the mandate of 73rd
amendment of the Constitution. All
the 314 blocks and 30 DRDAs have been provided with V-Sat connectivity. New
software tools-PRIA-SOFT and RURALSOFT have been developed for accounts and
scheme monitoring. My Government is taking steps to computerize 2742 Gram
Panchayats having population of more than 5000 in the 1st phase under
the 12th Finance Commission Award fund.
My Government has taken up massive housing programme for the rural poor
affected by the Super Cyclone of 1999 followed by high floods in subsequent
years. My Government has received
funds of Rs.115 crore to construct 73815 Indira Awas Yojana(IAY) houses during
2005-06. 30501 such houses have
been completed by December, 2005. Employment
of 374 lakh mandays have been generated under “Sampurna Grameen Rozgar Yojana”
during 2005-06 utilizing about 2 lakh metric tonnes (M.T) of foodgrain and cash
of Rs.218 crore. Special component
of SGRY is being implemented in natural calamity affected areas to provide
additional wage employment to the rural people to ensure food security.
107 lakh mandays have been generated under the scheme by utilizing about
60,000 M.T. of rice. Under Swarnajayanti Gram Swarozgar Yojana (SGSY) 33655
swarozgaries have been benefited during 2005-06 (upto December, 2005).
To create additional wage employment in rural areas, National Food for
Work Programme (NFFWP) has been launched in 199 Blocks in 18 most backward
Districts in the State. Under this programme during 2005-06 (upto December,
2005) about 333 lakh additional mandays were generated utilizing around Rs.201
crore cash and 1.5 lakh M.T. of
foodgrains. For providing employment guarantee in the rural areas National Rural
Employment Guarantee Scheme ( NREGS ) is being launched in 19 districts coming
205 blocks and 3672 GPs. This will
provide 100 days of guaranteed unskilled employment to every household in 33527
villages and is likely to cover 4078982 rural household.
26. The Public Distribution System is functioning effectively
through a wide network in the State to provide foodgrains at subsidized price to
below poverty line families. Under
Antyodaya Anna Yojana, 35 Kg. rice per family per month is being provided to
about 10 lakh poorest of the poor families at highly subsidized price of Rs.3
per Kg. An additional 2.63 lakh
families are going to be covered in
the State under the
scheme shortly.
Under Annapurna Scheme 10 Kg. of rice per beneficiary per month is being
supplied free of cost to 64,800 senior citizens, who although eligible, have not
been covered either under the National Old Age Pension scheme or the State Old
Age Pension Scheme. One State Consumer Dispute Redressal Commission at Cuttack
and 31 District Consumer Redressal Fora are
functioning in the State for protecting the rights of consumers. A State
Consumer Welfare Fund with a corpus of rupees one crore has been created with
contribution of the Central Government and the State Government for taking up
consumer awareness programme under the provisions of the Orissa Consumer Welfare
Fund Rules, 2005. Steps have also
been taken for construction of buildings for District Consumer Redressal Fora
and for setting up Consumer Clubs in schools.
27. Economic development and social empowerment of the members of
the Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes have been priority concerns of my
Government. To bring about
all-round development of the STs and the SCs, my Government continues to give
thrust on education. The 2001
census figures show a marked improvement
in literacy, particularly female literacy in the predominantly tribal districts
like Nowarangpur, Malkangiri, Koraput, Rayagada, Gajapati and Kandhamal which
had very low percentage of literacy in the past. 218 High Schools including 55
for Girls, 149 Ashram Schools including 37 Kanyashrams, 143 Residential
Sevashrams, 919 Sevashrams, 1548 Primary School Hostels and 10 Model Tribal
Schools for tribal children are functioning in the State to provide educational
opportunities to ST and SC children. Besides,
400 ST Girls Hostel in KBK areas under RLTAP have been made fully functional.
Free distribution of nationalized text books, reading and writing
materials, garments and free coaching to the SC and
ST students are being ensured. Scholarships
have been awarded to 472572 ST and 447024 SC students during the year 2005-06.
Nine Bonda children passed Class-X examinations in 2005 due to special
coaching efforts. 708 ST/SC youth have been trained in vocational trades
through I.T.I.s / Polytechnics in 2004-05 and efforts are being made to
gainfully employ them in self-employment ventures or as successful wage earners.
Another 1200 ST youth are undergoing training during 2005-06.
40 SC/ST youth are undergoing training for their engagement as insurance
agents. During 2005-06, my Government has planned to renovate 471 educational
buildings, 149 bridges and CD works, 124 drinking water supply projects, 35
minor irrigation projects, 21 hamlets for electrification and establishment of
three Workshop-cum-Training Institutions. During
2005-06 assistance has been provided to 26730 ST families under different income
generating schemes through Integrated Tribal Development Agencies.
Similarly, assistance has been provided to 4158 SC families, 643 ST
families and 26 liberated Safai Karmacharies through OSFDC. Besides 6 Safai
Karmacharies and 113 minorities’ families have been assisted under High Cost
Schemes by way of soft loans by OSFDC. Assistance
has been provided towards payment of monetary relief to 180 SC and 97 ST victims
of atrocities under the SCs and the STs (PoA) Act, 1989.
Besides Legal Aid to the STs and the SCs has also been provided whenever
required. My Government continues its efforts to improve the living condition of
members of the Primitive Tribal Groups which include awareness generation
programmes, incentive schemes for improving school
enrolment, electrification and construction of pucca fire-proof houses in
the micro-project areas. With a
view to improve the income of the tribal households and the productivity of
their land to provide them a better life, my Government has launched a programme
named “Orissa Tribal Empowerment and Livelihood Programme (OTELP) ” with
effect from 2nd October, 2004, with a proposed outlay of Rs.430.73
crore in 30 tribal blocks of seven southern districts with external assistance.
My Government will ensure implementation of prevention of atrocities on the SCs
and the STs and implementation of Orissa Reservation of Vacancies Act. Transfer
of tribal land in scheduled areas to non-tribals has been prohibited.
28. My Government
aims at the holistic development of the children, pregnant women, lactating
mothers and adolescent girls through the Integrated Child Development Services
Programme(ICDS). The scheme covers about 31 lakh persons including children,
pregnant women and lactating mothers. Concerted
efforts for reduction of malnutrition among children in the State have been
taken up. To improve the
nutritional status of malnourished children a programme called “Aame Bhi
Paribu” is under implementation in all the districts of the State.
All 326 ICDS Projects of the State have been covered under the Kishori
Shakti Yojana which aims at the holistic development of the adolescent girls in
the age group of 11 to 18 years. Special
interventions like reduction of malnutrition and child mortality and
construction of Anganwadi Centers in KBK districts have been taken up under
RLTAP. All undernourished
adolescent girls and pregnant and nourishing women of BPL category in Koraput
and Kalahandi districts are provided free rice @ 6 Kg per month under National
Nutritional Mission. About 51 lakh school children in 69,700 schools are being
provided cooked meals under Mid-Day Meal Programme everyday including an egg
once in a week. My Government continues to provide cooked food to the old,
infirm, indigent and destitute persons under the Emergency Feeding Programme. My
Government is providing pension to the old and destitute persons, leprosy
patients having deformity and destitute women @ Rs.100/- per month under
the State Old Age Pension (SOAP) Scheme covering about 6,75,000 persons.
4,93,400 and 1,25,000 beneficiaries are assisted under the National Old
Age Pension (NOAP) Scheme and Orissa Disability Pension Scheme respectively. All
beneficiaries under the Old Age Pension Schemes have been provided with photo
identity cards and pension is
distributed on a fixed day termed as ‘Jana Seva Divas’,
i.e. the 15th of every month at the Gram Panchayat
Headquarters. Other schemes such as the National Family Benefit Scheme (NFBS)
and the Balika Samriddhi Yojana (BSY) continue to provide help to the target
groups. Under “Mission Shakti, 1,76,000
Self Help Groups (SHGs) have been formed in all districts of the State who have
taken up different economic activities like kerosene dealership, labour
intensive works, pisciculture, poultry farming, etc. 1.6 lakh groups have been
advanced credit to the tune of Rs.370 crore. My Government is taking care of
about 5,600 orphan children through 85 orphanages.
29. My Government is
committed to welfare of the working class. Full medical care has been extended
to the industrial labourers and their family members through a network of E.S.I.
hospitals and dispensaries. Employment and Social Security Legislation is given
priority. Child labourers employed in hazardous jobs have been released and
admitted under the National Child Labour Project Scheme for being imparted
formal education and vocational training. My Government encourages youth of the
State for their recruitment in defence and para-military services. Students’
Information Bureaus and Model Career Corners in schools and colleges have been
set up. 22 Model Career Corners and 12 Students’ Information Bureaus in Women
Colleges and Girls’ High Schools in tribal dominated and backward districts of
the State have been opened for utilization by girls students.
30. My Government has been making efforts to provide a responsive
and people oriented administration and has made arrangements to hear and dispose
of public grievances and pension cases expeditiously.
During the year 9589 grievance petitions have been received and processed
for redressal. 26338 persons have been benefited through 21 “Jana Sampark
Sibirs” organised in different districts during the year.
546 pension grievances have been processed.
During the year, one Pension Adalat (118th) has been conducted
in which 288 cases have been disposed of. The
institution of Lokpal is functioning effectively.
Financial Assistance
from the Chief Minister's Relief Fund (CMRF) is being provided to indigent
applicants for their treatment for major ailments. During 2005-06 (upto
December, 2005), assistance of about Rs. 1.48 crore has
been provided
to 1576 applicants.
Besides, ex-gratia
assistance of
Rs. 22.60 lakh has been provided to the next of kins of 226 heat wave
victims. Assistance of Rs. 1 crore was provided from the CMRF for relief and
restoration measures in the wake of devastation brought about by the massive
earthquake in the State of Jammu & Kashmir.
My Government is committed to curbing corruption at all levels of
administration. During the calendar year 2005, 291 vigilance cases were
registered out of which 236 vigilance cases were disposed. Of these 236 cases,
charge-sheets have been placed in 182 cases. Departmental action has also been
taken by various departments in many cases.
My Government has also initiated a new programme called Orissa
Modernizing Government Initiative (OMGI) to take up administrative reforms in
different Departments of the Government and district administration.
31. In order to promote transparency and accountability in the
system of governance, my Government is sincerely implementing the Right to
Information Act, 2005 in the State from 12, October, 2005.
For proactive disclosure as required under the provisions of the Right to
Information Act, 2005 the Government departments are making information
available through Government website. Orissa Information Commission has been
constituted and has started functioning.
32. My Government has launched a new Land Pass Book Programme for
each land-holding family in the State with effect from 26th January,
2006. The Land Pass Book will serve the purpose of a certificate in respect of
caste, income, legal heir, residence and identity, etc.
For the sake of better land management
my Government has
distributed land to 14,588 homesteadless families in the State out of which 7827
families belong to Scheduled Tribes and 3234 families to Scheduled Castes under
“Basundhara” Scheme during the current year by the end of October, 2005. The
scheme aims at providing land to 2,49,334 such families within three years,
i.e., 2005-06 to 2007-08. For
strengthening of Revenue Administration, my Government has taken up a
comprehensive scheme of Rs.515 crore with external assistance to be effective
from 2006-2007.
Out of 171 Tehsils in the State, 157 Tehsils have been fully computerised.
With a view to improving the economy of the weaker sections of the society and
to boost agricultural production, Government
land up to one standard acre is being allotted free of salami to landless
persons. During the year 2004-05 Government land to the extent of Ac. 5033 has
been distributed among 6,075 landless families which included 1053 S.C. and 2954
S.T. landless families. During the year 2005-06 by October, 2005 Government land
to the extent of Ac. 1553 has been distributed among 1592 landless families
including 700 S.T. and 246 S.C. landless families. My Government intends to
invigorate the process of distribution of remaining Bhoodan lands in the coming
year.
Presently my Government has a Rehabilitation and Re-Settlement Policy
which envisages employment to one member from each displaced family either in
industry or its ancillary units. Members
of displaced families if not provided with job will be assisted in
self-employment through allotment of shops, service premises or other activities
in the Company’s township or otherwise. Roads,
community centers, school buildings, water supply facilities, electricity
facilities, dispensary, etc. will be provided in the Re-Settlement and
Rehabilitation Colony. Those
displaced families who opt to make their own rehabilitation elsewhere than the
Re-Settlement and Rehabilitation Colony will be given cash grant of Rs.50,000/-
towards self-rehabilitation. Further appropriate training facilities to the
nominated persons of the displaced families are being provided to acquire skill
for employment. As already
mentioned at the outset, my
Government has constituted a Group of Ministers to have a thorough look into the
existing policy and make suggestions for a comprehensive policy after
broad-based consultations.
33. The avowed policy of my Government is to dissuade people from
drinking. Considering the general grievances of eminent individuals, NGOs and
groups, Govt. has put a ban on opening of any new liquor shops in the State.
The excise enforcement measures have been strengthened.
During the first six months of the current year, 15,376 cases have been
detected and 7,767 persons were arrested. The
District Administrations have been asked to keep close watch on the suspected
illicit distillation centers and curb spurious liquor.
In order to make the Excise Law more stringent for the offenders, a new
Orissa Excise Bill, 2005 has been placed before the Orissa Legislative Assembly.
34. As a measure to provide “Justice to all” my Government
has decided to open 8 nos. of Special Judge(Vigilance) Courts in phases
in the State. Two such Courts at Balasore and Cuttack will be opened soon.
446 nos. of Lok Adalats have been organised in the State for promoting
speedy justice for disposing of about 91 thousand cases.
Legal Aid is being provided to SCs, STs, Women, Children, persons in
custody and people from weaker sections of the society.
Legal Awareness Camps have been organised to create legal
awareness among the people of rural and tribal areas.
The all-round Development of Lord Jagannath Temple at Puri is being given
priority by my Government. Shri Jagannath Temple Act has been amended to
strengthen the administration. Senior Officials like Chief Administrator in the
rank of Commissioner has been given the charge of Temple Administration.
Support to other religious institutions including ‘Wakf’ institutions
is being provided.
36. I have taken this opportunity of only touching upon the policies and programmes and certain important thrust and priority areas of my Government based on the common programme, without intending to discuss the programmes of each department in detail. However, I would like to stress that each and every activity of my Government is important and should, therefore, be treated as such. My Government is striving hard to implement all the programmes and promises it has made for the welfare of the people of the State. These policies are dedicated to the welfare and well-being of the Scheduled Tribes, the Scheduled Castes, the Minorities, the Backward Classes, farmers, women, unemployed youth and students. My Government will pursue these policies relentlessly for a better life for the weaker sections of the society. I hope that the Hon’ble Members of this August House will extend their full cooperation and support to the progressive and forward-looking policies and programmes of my Government. I wish all success in your deliberations.
JAI HIND
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