Odisha CM gives 3D mantra to ministers

Bhubaneswar: Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, while chairing a meeting of the Council of Ministers at the State Secretariat on the occasion of completion of BJD Government’s four years during fourth term, advised the ministers to work for the people with ‘3D’– Determination, Devotion and Dedication.

Briefing media persons after the meeting, Patnaik also highlighted ten major achievements of his government during the term.

“Firstly, several historical decisions have been taken to promote Odia language in all walks of life. One of our topmost promises was housing security- to convert all kucha houses to pucca houses. Odisha is a trailblazer at the national level in rural housing. In the last 4 years nearly 17 lakh pucca houses have been constructed. The remaining 7 lakh houses will be completed by March 5th as a humble tribute to the great Biju Babu,” the CM said.

“As far as rural roads are concerned, 25,500 kms have been constructed. In irrigation and agriculture, 7 lakh hectares of additional irrigation potential have been created…10 lakh hectares to be achieved by April 1, next year,” Patnaik said.

“Agriculture is the mainstay of our population and we are the only State to have doubled farmers incomes in the last decade. We promised 10 lakh hectares of additional irrigation potential. We have already achieved 7 lakh hectares and we are racing towards achieving the target by April 1st 2019. Food grain production is at an all time high of 117 lakh Metric tonnes. Odisha is one of the highest contributors to the nation’s food security. My Government has always focussed on vulnerable groups in every sector. Sharecroppers will be provided crop loans and our farmers in rainfed areas will get remunerative prices under the Millets Mission,” he said.

“Providing Connectivity is a priority for my Government. Odisha leads the country in the construction of rural roads with a record 22,500 kilometres in the last 4 years. 600 bridges have been constructed under the Biju Setu Yojana. Biju Expressway connecting North and South Odisha passing through the KBK region is on target. The Utkal Gourav Madhusudan Setu over Mahanadi and key bridges over Ib river and Kathajodi were completed in record time and reduced distances considerably. The Gurupriya bridge in Malkangiri will also be operational shortly,” he added.

“In urban matters, land rights to slum dwellers is a historic decision. We have enacted historic legislation to enable slum dwellers in urban areas to have land and property rights. Nearly 10 lakh people will be empowered through this initiative – unprecedented in the world in its scope and scale. As far as skill development is concerned, we lead the country in skill development. 9 lakh young people have achieved skill development out of a target of 11 lakh,” he said.

“Four out of nine medical colleges have been established and five more are in the pipeline. As far as tribal development is concerned, special development councils in nine tribal-dominated districts have been established,” the CM said.

“As for women, 70 lakh women are in SHGs and 30 lakh women have been covered under the Mamata scheme. In sports, Odisha and Bhubaneswar have become global sports destinations,” he added.