The Odisha government is committed to the holistic development of the state and the empowerment of all sections of people, ensuring that no one is left behind in the journey toward progress and prosperity, Governor Hari Babu Kambhampati said.
Addressing the budget session of the Odisha Assembly on Thursday, the Governor stated that the state has emerged as a beacon of innovation and progress on both national and international platforms.
“As we move forward, the achievements of 2024 serve as a testament to Odisha’s resilience and vision, laying a strong foundation for a brighter and more prosperous future for its people,” he said.
Hari Babu emphasized that the state government remains committed to a “people-first” approach in delivering essential services, creating livelihood opportunities, and developing key infrastructure.
The Governor highlighted that 2024 has been a landmark year for Odisha, marked by transformative strides in governance, development, and global recognition.
He noted that the state government has received more than three lakh suggestions aimed at building a Samruddha Odisha, targeting a $500 billion economy by 2036. The government, Hari Babu said, has detailed plans to achieve the goal of Viksit Odisha for Viksit Bharat 2047, envisioning Odisha’s contribution of $1.5 trillion to India’s economy by then.
The Governor stated that the state government has prioritized women’s empowerment and launched the innovative Subhadra scheme to support nearly one crore women aged 21 to 60 by providing financial assistance, fostering financial independence, and raising awareness of their rights.
Under this scheme, beneficiaries receive Rs.50,000 over five years, reflecting the government’s unwavering commitment to women’s empowerment and inclusive development.
Speaking about industrial growth, Hari Babu said the Utkarsha Odisha – Make in Odisha Conclave 2025, held on January 28 and 29, attracted both domestic and international investors across diverse sectors, positioning Odisha as the industrial powerhouse of Eastern India.
The government, he added, has signed MoUs worth Rs.12.89 lakh crore for investments in chemicals, petrochemicals, textiles, mining, metallurgy, renewable energy, and tourism.
The Governor noted that the Odisha government has taken special measures to ensure that all eligible farmers are covered under the PM Kisan initiative.
Additionally, under the Samruddha Krushak Yojana, the government has started procuring paddy from farmers at Rs.3,100 per quintal, including input assistance of Rs.800 during the current Kharif marketing season.
The government, he said, has launched a new scheme, Conservation of Native Breeds, to preserve the genetic diversity of indigenous livestock in the state.
To address climate resilience and sustainability, the state government has initiated the Mukhyamantri Disaster-Resilient Saline Embankment Project, covering 193 km of saline embankments in Balasore, Bhadrak, Kendrapara, and Puri districts.
Additionally, the Odisha Irrigation Integrated Project for Climate-Resilient Agriculture, supported by the World Bank, has stabilized 14,463 hectares of ayacut through the renovation of 151 Minor Irrigation Projects (MIPs).
Hari Babu highlighted that Odisha is rejuvenating the Hirakud Canal System after 46 years, with an investment of Rs.855 crore to ensure efficient water management in the Hirakud command area.
Regarding education, he said the government has decided to implement the National Education Policy 2020, benefiting 61,693 schools in the state. Under the Godabarisha Mishra Adarsha Prathamik Vidyalaya initiative, the government aims to develop 6,794 elementary schools—one in each Panchayat—into holistic learning centers offering multidisciplinary education.
In its commitment to Odia Asmita, the government has identified 51 Adarsha Vidyalayas from the pre-independence era for development as centers of excellence, equipped with quality infrastructure, learning resources, and innovative educational programs of international standards.
The Governor further stated that the Odisha government has laid out a roadmap for excellence in higher education. At least five new Centres of Excellence in state universities will be established to promote advanced learning, research, and innovation in critical fields.
Additionally, four universities in the state will be upgraded to Multidisciplinary Education and Research Universities (MERU) in alignment with NEP 2020.
Hari Babu said the government is focused on transforming the Odisha University of Technology and Research (OUTR) and Veer Surendra Sai University of Technology into world-class technical universities while improving key performance indicators such as NAAC and NIRF rankings.
To enhance urban infrastructure, the government has launched new schemes such as Urban Mobility and Mukhyamantri Sahari Bikas Yojana to improve civic amenities across all cities. Additionally, the Awacha Odisha initiative has been introduced to enhance solid, liquid, and wastewater management in urban areas.
