**Bhubaneswar:** Delivering his key note address at the valedictory session of the three-day-long Make In Odisha Conclave here in the capital city on Friday, an elated Odisha Chief Minister announced that the total investment intent received by the State Government is over Rs 2 lakh crores that has the potential of generating 1, 40, 000 additional jobs for the people of the State.
He also announced that the next Make In Odisha Conclave will be organised in 2018 as it has been decided to make the gala event biannual in a bid to woo investors from both the country and abroad.
Addressing the valedictory session with two Union Ministers on the dais, Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik said, “We have seen an overwhelming response from industry in the conclave. I am happy to inform you that we have received investment intent in 10 diversified sectors. The total investment intent received by the State is to the tune of Rs 2, 03, 270. More importantly for the State, these proposed investments have the potential to generate 1, 40, 000 additional jobs for the people of the State.”
Assuring the industry captains and others, the CM said, “The faith reposed in my Government and our policies will be taken forward with total commitment and sincerity. You will witness the transformation happening in the field-translating intent to action, investments to production and growth.”
“My Government has decided to set up a special institutional mechanism to ensure grounding of these investments in the shortest possible time,” he further assured.
The Odisha CM also added, “The Odisha Skill Development Mission has an ambitious vision of setting international benchmarks in the skilling of our youth. ‘Skilled In Odisha’ will be the buzzword nationally and internationally. Our investment partners will benefit from this initiative-having a multi-pool of talent at their doorstep-and our youth primarily will reap the advantages of this Make In Odisha initiatives.”
Apart from that, he also informed the august gathering that the State Government is partnering with NALCO for setting up a world-class Aluminium Park at Angul and with IOCL for the development of Plastics Park and the largest PCPIR at Paradip.
Concluding his key note address, the Odisha Chief Minister said, “Having witnessed tremendous response to the conclave, I am pleased to inform that the State Government has decided to organise this conclave biannually as a stepping stone towards realising our Vision 2025 for the industrial development in the State. I invite you all to the next version of Make In Odisha Concalve in 2018.”
Exhorting all on the special occasion, he quipped, “Let us join hands and work together for the growth and progress of Odisha.”
Piyush Goyal, Union Minister, Power & Coal, in his address said, “I’m glad that Odisha has decided to go on the path of change and not live in the past. I wish you very best for the future. Of course Odisha reflects a confluence of spirituality and physical progress. The very hardworking and very diligent people of Odisha will make sure that the vision will be a success. And in that you will have the full support of the Government of India to ensure that Odisha emerges as a winner and Odisha changes its status.”
“One of the first decisions of Government of India was to focus on the development of the eastern parts of India as well as the north-eastern States. Unless the eastern parts of India progress, unless we see growth, unless we see a better quality of life in eastern India, we cannot visualise a prosperous and better India in the future.”
On the benefits to be reaped by Odisha from coal block auction, the Union Coal Minister said, “Over Rs 70,000 crores of revenue will come out of the 12 coal blocks that have allocated so far in Odisha. The revenue will be used for the welfare of the people of Odisha and fulfil Odisha’s Vision 2036.”
“In bauxite alone, we’ve above 52% the national reserve in Odisha,” he claimed, adding, “Along with that we have high grade iron ore, chromite, manganese, limestone and so many minerals in Odisha. Truly we can see Odisha leveraging on this natural wealth that the almighty has given to the State and the people of Odisha to help improve the quality of life, to help develop the infrastructure in Odisha to leave behind a legacy that the future generation will be proud of in terms of development prosperity and growth.”
Union Petroleum and Natural Gas Minister Dharmendra Pradhan in his address said, “I support the initiative of Odisha Government for its Make In Odisha on behalf of the Government of India. Odisha steals a march over the 20 mineral-rich States globally. Let’s ponder over the employment opportunities for the 1.25 crore youth mass of Odisha. May Make In India and Make In Odisha pave path for them. In February during his visit to Odisha for the inauguration of Paradip Oil Refinery, the Prime Minister had said that Paradip will be the island of growth of Odisha and the future development of the youth of Odisha.”
On the proposed supply of LPG gas to the twin cities of Cuttack and Bhubaneswar, the Union Petroleum Minister said, “The Government of India is planning to supply the cooking gas to every household and transportation through pipeline like tap water this fiscal year.”
“Let’s us also harness the hidden energy in the agricultural waste products of Odisha. I invite the Chief Minister to Bargarh district for laying foundation for a plant for producing 2G Ethanol from the agricultural waste products by the Bharat Petroleum Corporation at an estimated project cost of Rs 900 crore.”