**Bhubaneswar:** Addressing the inaugural day of Ninth Session (Budget Session) of 15th Odisha Legislative Assembly on Wednesday (February 22), Governor Dr S.C. Jamir lauded the incumbent BJD Government led by Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik for its sturdy stand on Mahanadi water sharing issue with Chhattisgarh.
In his address the Governor said, “I am proud that my Government has stood firmly with the people of Odisha to ensure their due share of water from Mahanadi River.”
“To prevent the unauthorised construction activities by the Chhattisgarh Government on upstream of river Mahanadi, and to safeguard the interest of the people of Odisha for whom Mahanadi River is the lifeline, my Government has moved the Government of India to constitute a tribunal to resolve the issue and also moved the Apex Court of the country under Article 131 of the Constitution of India. My Government will leave no stone unturned to protect the interest of the people of Odisha on river Mahanadi,” the first citizen of Odisha mentioned.
Mentioning that the State Government has consistently and continuously strived to achieve a sustainable and inclusive higher economic growth, Dr Jamir said that his Government has accelerated overall development, reduction of regional, social and gender disparities, faster rate of poverty reduction and allocation of higher resources for planned development of the State.
“The State Plan outlay has been increased to Rs 50,200 crores for Annual Plan 2016-17 from Rs 11,000 crores from Annual Plan 2010-11,” he stated.
He also highlighted in his speech that Odisha has made impressive achievements in terms of economic growth and poverty reduction.
“The size of Odisha’s economy has increased by 22-27 percent in real terms (at 2011-12 prices) during the last six years in terms of GSDP (Gross State Domestic Product) achieving an annual average growth rate of 6.23 percent. The real per capita income increased from Rs 47,632 in 2011-12 to Rs 61,678 in 2016-17 at 2011-12 prices. The growth rate in economy which was 4.61 percent in 2012-13 has reached 7.94 percent in 2016-17,” Dr Jamir stated.
His address to the august House also highlighted, “The State has achieved significant improvement in finance during last 15 years through various fiscal reform measures, as a result of which the State is able to undertake various developmental activities from its own resources.”
The Governor also stated, “As empowerment of the farmers is one of the top most priorities of my Government, Rs 13,182 crores have been allocated in the Special Agriculture Budget. The Agriculture Cabinet has decided to take up one lakh dug wells, improve agriculture extension services, transfer seed subsidy directly to the farmers’ accounts and signed agreement with the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) for the development of agriculture in the State.”
“The National Sample Survey Organisation (NSSO) survey of 2012-13 indicates that farm income has doubled as compared to the survey of 2002-03. Our food grain production touched an all-time high of 118.24 lakh metric tonnes during 2014-15 registering 22.7% growth over 96.36 lakh tonnes during 2013-14 and has doubled itself in comparison to what we produced during 2000-01. The Seed Replacement Rate (SRR) in paddy has increased to a record high of 37%,” he added.
Besides stating that Odisha is the first State in the country to introduce online subsidy administration for Farm Mechanisation, the Governor also mentioned, “A new scheme ‘Critical Gap Fund for District Plan’ has been introduced in 2016-17 to address the basic rural infrastructure needs on priority with special emphasis on zero connectivity areas, health and drinking water, etc.”
Mentioning the promising “Vision: 2036” Document being prepared by the Odisha Government, Dr Jamir said, “It will reflect United Nation’s declared Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) as well as needs and aspirations of the people of Odisha by 2036, which coincides with 100th year of formation of Odisha as a separate State.”
Reiterating his Government’s commitment to ensure all-round development of all the sections of the people and all the regions of the State on non-negotiable basis, the Governor exhorted, “The path taken in the past has meaningful lessons for us, to draw from. Along with that, incorporating the challenges of today, we must embark on the journey of creating a robust Odisha of tomorrow.”
In his reactions, Leader of Opposition Narasingh Mishra said, “It was disheartening. Sorry to say, that the Governor didn’t mention at least a word on the poll violence during the Panchayat polls and misuse of government machinery by the party in power. He didn’t even mentioned about the underprivileged and suppressed lot of the State. Till date the farmers are yet to get their insurance dues and it had also no mention in his budget address.”
BJP legislature party leader K.V. Singhdeo said, “Nothing new in it. Old wine in old bottle. The mentions had also been last time. They have nothing new to say.”
Senior BJD MLA and party spokesperson Sashi Bhusan Behera said, “Odisha Government’s all achievements have rightly been reflected in the Governor’s address. Prominent among them is Odisha Government’s fight on Mahanadi water sharing issue in a bid to safeguard Odisha’s interests.”