Bhubaneswar: Debate and discussion is the hallmark of democracy. It brings issues of current times that need to be addressed and sets the tone for future needs. It is more so significant when we talk about development rather than hovering around fragile issues that do not go down well for a vibrant democracy, said Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik addressing Odisha Nirman Conclave hosted by a television news channel Kanak News through video conferencing here today.
The Chief Minister informed that Odisha continues to be the top investment destination in the country. The mood for business and industries is better in Odisha for our industry-friendly policy frameworks, a dedicated team to facilitate investors’ needs, and deft handling of the pandemic, he added.
“Coming to the issues of Odisha, I can say with confidence that we have come far away from a phase of an unstable economy with a high poverty index to a phase of an economic resurgence with continuous improvement in various development indicators. Our growth rate has been consistently remained higher than the national average for the last several years barring this pandemic hit period. Between 2011-12 and 2017-18, our economy expanded at a Compound Annual Growth Rate of 10.30 percent. This year in January our GST collection has shown a growth of 25.30 percent indicating our economic resilience,” stated Patnaik.
The Chief Minister said that Odisha’s management of the Covid-19 pandemic has been one of the most effective among states.
“Long before the threat perception was realized at the national level, we could see the imminent danger and sprang into action with awareness campaign through the people’s representatives, and putting in place all the necessary protocols and guidelines. We provided free treatment for all the Covid positive cases by building massive Covid care infrastructures in the entire state,” said Patnaik.
The Chief Minister appealed to the people not to lower guard, follow the protocols, as the fear of a second wave is looming large.
“In the year 2000, when we came to serve the people of Odisha, we focused on securing people’s life from the vagaries of frequent natural calamities. Today we are a model state in disaster management even attracting global recognition,” stated Patnaik.
The Chief Minister said that women empowerment is a key indicator of higher sustainable growth.
Now, women in Odisha are increasingly contributing to rural economy, taking charge of institutions, and running different government-run programmes more efficiently. Not only that; encouraging stories of achievements by our people in different sectors from farming to entrepreneurship, sports, art, cinema, and many other sectors have become a regular phenomenon, he added.
The Chief Minister pointed out that the narrative of Odisha is changing.
“We are on a path of resurgence. Odisha is scripting new stories of success in almost all fields. We need the partnership of all sections of society to realize the ambition of a prosperous state where people have all the opportunities to fulfill their dreams, exercise their rights freely, and carry out their responsibilities without fear or favour,” he said.