From being a non-significant state Odisha is now ranked among the top states of the country. The transformation is not only on account of rise in the state’s political clout at the national level but also the fact that its economy has improved tremendously and it is setting new milestones in different spheres.
Odisha is in focus, thanks to the efforts of state’s BJP government. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, too, is paying special attention to the state. He paid a three-day visit to Odisha from November 29 during which he addressed the national conference of director generals and inspector generals of police and also met state BJP leaders, giving them the roadmap for the future growth of the party in the state.
The Prime Minister also addressed a felicitation meeting where he spoke about his party’s spectacular victory in Maharashtra and Haryana and underscored Odisha’s role in making it possible. He said BJP’s record victory in Odisha, where the party formed its government for the first time, had paved the way for its success in Haryana and Maharashtra.
The conference, which discussed a raft of security and law and order related issues, was held under unprecedented security necessitated primarily because of the threat issued by pro-Khalistani terrorist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun to disrupt the event. But the focus was clearly on the praise the Prime Minister heaped on the Mohan Majhi government for the steps it has taken to fulfil the promises the BJP made during the elections.
People have been talking about the achievements of the fledgling Mohan Majhi government on different fronts including industrialization, strengthening of the farm sector and empowerment of women. The government has also drawn praise for the steps it has taken to preserve the language, art and culture of the state. Odisha’s unique art, culture and natural wealth is now being showcased for the benefit of people in different parts of India and those staying abroad. A major attempt in this direction was made with the organisation of Odisha Parba 2024 in New Delhi recently.
Inaugurated by president Draupadi Murmu it showcased a bouquet of programmes including plays, classical and folk music and dances. Hosted by Odia Samaj, Delhi, the event saw people enjoying typical Odia food at around 45 food stalls put up at the venue. The food items included dahibara-aloodum, mudhi-mansa, veg Odia thaali and peetha or pancakes. Handloom lovers shopped for typical Odia sarees of different kinds and also took home handicraft items produced by Odia artisans. It was an attempt to bring Odisha, its culture and its tourism potential into national and international focus.
Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi also celebrated ‘Odisha State Day’ at the 43rd India International Trade Fair (IITF) at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi. He emphasized that the programme would be of great help in promoting the rich art, culture and tradition of Odisha. “The unique handicrafts and handlooms of Odisha have gained international recognition. The India International trade fair is a great platform where people from across the country are getting the opportunity to know our art and craft,” he said.
Majhi has repeatedly said that his government is focusing on preparing a vision document for the development of Odisha which would be celebrating the 100th anniversary of its formation as an independent state in 2036. “We are building a new and prosperous Odisha, which will be the growth engine of the developed India,” he said.
Majhi visited the decked up ‘Odisha Mandap’ designed on the theme ‘Viksit Bharat, Viksit Odisha’ along with the stalls of handlooms, handicrafts and hand-made items by Mission Shakti groups. Special editions of the monthly magazines ‘Utkal Prasanga’ and ‘Odisha Review’ were released. Odissi and other folk-dance forms were performed on this occasion. Several MLAs were also present on the occasion.
The Majhi government is simultaneously focusing on developing and making the state stronger in other ways. For example, in a bid to tackle the problem of illicit liquor trade and drug trafficking more effectively, the government is working on amending the existing laws to make punishment for such offences more stringent. This was stated by excise minister Prithiviraj Harichandan recently. Asserting that the government has zero tolerance to such illegal activities, Harichandan said the changes to the laws will be made soon. “Discussions have been initiated at the government-level to introduce changes in the excise policy for preventing trade of illicit liquor and curbing drug trafficking. Besides punishment, fines will also be increased to make them an effective deterrence to such activities,” he said.
The amendments will focus on strengthening enforcement to dismantle illegal liquor producing units and the drug trafficking network. The state government will adopt a joint strategy with the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) to demolish the networks facilitating the distribution of illicit substances across the state. Crackdown on illicit liquor and drugs will be intensified, he said. It may be pointed out that only recently the state police had a brainstorming session on ways to check the illicit cannabis trade which has become a major source of income for Maoist ultras, especially in districts such as Koraput and Malkangiri. The ultras have been patronizing both cultivation and trade of cannabis to bankroll their disruptive activities.
On the education front the state government has planned to grant junior merit scholarship to 10,000 students this year. The directorate of Higher Secondary Education (DHSE), Odisha, has invited applications for the scholarship by submitting the online forms.
The scholarship of Rs 3,000 per year will be given to newly enrolled students in Plus Two streams who have secured 60 per cent and above in the Class X board examination and whose parental income doesn’t exceed Rs 6 lakh per annum.
The DHSE has come up with fresh guidelines stating that the scholarship in which an eligible student will be entitled to Rs 3,000 per year for two years – Class XI and XII – will be given to boys and girls in 50:50 ratio. The directorate will recognise the marks from BSE Odisha as well as other equivalent boards recognised by the state government such as CBSE and ICSE, etc., for the grant. The student applying for the scholarship has to be a permanent resident of the state.
On the other hand, Biju Janata Dal (BJD), the main opposition party, has decided to renew its demand for special category state status for Odisha. The party has said this will be on the top of its agenda during the winter session of Parliament. The decision was taken at the BJD’s Parliamentary party meeting presided over by party president Naveen Patnaik at Naveen Niwas. A party spokesperson said that the special category status demand was raised by Naveen when he was the chief minister of Odisha. He said that BJP had also promised the special category status for the state in its manifesto for 2014 elections. However, it has completely forgotten the promise.
“The BJP government has compromised the interest of the state in the Polavaram dam project which will submerge thousands of acres of land in Malkangiri district and displace 6,000 tribal people from their villages. The BJD will also raise this issue during the session,” he said.
The BJD leader said another issue before the party will be the Mahanadi river water dispute between Odisha and Chhattisgarh. The BJD would seek details of the progress made in the talks between the Odisha and Chhattisgarh governments in this regard.
The BJD will also demand opening of branches of AIIMS at Balasore, Sambalpur and Koraput. Withdrawal of GST on Kendu leaf and inclusion of Ho, Mundari, Bhumij, Kui and Saora language in the 8th schedule of the Constitution will be among the other major demands of the party.
The BJP, on the other hand, maintains that protecting the interests of the state remains its top priority. It will do everything possible to ensure that the state continues to progress and its people enjoy a better standard of living. The Majhi government remains committed to this.
