In the last one year the Mohan Majhi government has faced several controversies but negotiated each one successfully. More importantly the chief minister ensured that these pinpricks in no way affected the developmental drive he had unleashed soon after taking up the reins of the state. The state continues to march ahead under his leadership.
Controversies are part of politics and the Mohan Majhi government has had its share of them in the last one year that it has been in power. The most recent of these erupted after a college girl from Balasore attempted self-immolation and sustained 90 per cent burn injuries. She reportedly took the step after failing to get justice in a case of sexual harassment involving her teacher.
The other controversy had a distinct political tinge with women activists of the rival Biju Janata Dal (BJD) hitting the streets over the alleged derogatory remarks of a BJP MLA against one of its senior leaders.
The government also faced criticism from Congress leader Rahul Gandhi who, addressing the “Samvidhan Bachao (save constitution) rally” in Bhubaneswar accused it of protecting the interests of industrialists like Gautam Adani instead of working for the welfare of common people.
However, what is significant is that while both the BJP and the Mohan Charan Majhi government have dealt with these ticklish issues deftly they have also ensured that any fracas resulting from the controversies does not affect the ongoing developmental work in the state.
The pace of development has not slackened even for a moment with chief minister Mohan Charan Majhi leading from the front. An experienced leader who has risen from the ranks, he is well aware of the myriad problems facing the state and continues to strive to solve them because only a proactive approach can guarantee development.
Taking part in the 27th meeting of Eastern Zonal Council at Ranchi recently he urged the Centre to advise banks to open their branches in unbanked gram panchayats in Odisha. In his speech, the Chief Minister also urged the Centre to take the necessary steps to address internet connectivity issues to encourage banks to open their brick and mortar (B&M) branches in unbanked gram panchayats in the state.
Besides, Majhi sought hike in the fixed component of commission along with variable commission to business correspondent to check their attrition rate. Out of 6,794 gram panchayats in Odisha, only 2,421 have brick & mortar branches. The remaining 4,373 gram panchayats do not have any brick & mortar branches.
In order to meet the banking needs in unbanked or under banked gram panchayats, the state government in collaboration with six Public Sector Banks has launched a scheme for providing banking services to all unbanked GPs of the state through CSP Plus banking outlets. Odisha is the only state in the country to adopt such a unique model of financial inclusion, said the chief minister.
The CSP Plus banking outlets are providing major banking services just like a brick & mortar branch. So far, 2,742 CSP Plus outlets have been opened in 2,742 unbanked gram panchayats covering all 30 districts. The remaining 1,631 unbanked gram panchayats will be covered by CSP plus outlets shortly, said Majhi.
“State government is making necessary arrangements for providing electricity connection and internet connectivity for smooth functioning of the CSP Plus banking outlets in all unbanked gram panchayats of the state. The state government is also bearing the one-time fixed cost component including banking space and monthly recurring cost for specified items for the first three years since opening of CSP Plus outlets,” stated the chief minister.
While Majhi pleaded for inclusive growth, regional solidarity and welfare of people to achieve the goal of Vikasit Bharat he also pointed out that the basic objective of the zonal councils comprising of the states belonging to a particular region is to create healthy inter-state and center-state relation, foster cooperation and to discuss matters common to them and the central government so as to solve inter-state problems and promote balanced socio-economic development.
“Odisha along with the other states of this zone – West Bengal, Bihar and Jharkhand- shares not only geographical boundaries, but also intertwined histories, cultures, economies and challenges. Our collective progress, therefore, hinges on how well we collaborate and support each other through this Council. I am hopeful that the meeting will provide a useful and an open forum for consultations on such matters of our zone and to strengthen the Centre-state relations,” said the chief minister who understands his state better than anyone else and can also appreciate the problems of his neighbours.
Few people would deny that Odisha is marching ahead on different fronts. Recently it was honoured with the best state for agriculture at the 16th Agriculture Leadership Conclave organised by the Agriculture Today Group, India’s leading media outlet in the agricultural sector.
Deputy Chief Minister of Odisha and Minister of Agriculture & Farmers’ Empowerment and Energy, Kanak Vardhan Singh Deo, received the Agriculture Leadership Award at a glittering function in New Delhi in the presence of a host of dignitaries including Union Minister of Commerce and Industry, Piyush Goyal.
“This award is a testament to the innovation and hard work of the farmers of Odisha. I dedicate this award to the annadatas of Odisha. The Government of Odisha expresses its heartfelt gratitude to Agriculture Today Group for this award and its commitment to make Odisha a model in sustainable agricultural development in India,” said Deputy Chief Minister KV Singh Deo.
This national recognition reflects Odisha’s remarkable achievements in agricultural growth, innovation and inclusive development, said Deputy Chief Minister Shri Singh Deo. In the financial year 2024-25, agriculture and allied sectors contributed about 19% to Odisha’s Gross State Value Added (GSVA), which has grown by 3.3%, surpassing the national average for the last five years. Agriculture and allied sectors together constitute the single largest employer in the state, employing 49.0 per cent of the total workforce.
Odisha’s agricultural progress is a result of the state government’s forward-looking economic policies, sustained policy support and major investments in rural infrastructure. Promotion of crop diversification and adoption of climate-resilient practices promoted by the government have put Odisha on the top of the list today. The rice production in the state in 2023-24 was 115.39 lakh metric tonnes, which is equivalent to 174.83 lakh metric tonnes of paddy. Odisha is the fourth largest rice supplier to the Food Corporation of India (FCI).
Odisha has witnessed improved productivity, increased rural income and improved food security due to the government’s focus on modernising agriculture through technology adoption, farmer training and value chain development. Last year, Odisha had the largest sale of tractors in India. Odisha exported 121.82 metric tonnes of horticultural products like dragon fruit, cashew nuts, mango and various types of vegetables to several Middle East countries.
The government is also simultaneously dealing with serious law and order issues including Bangladeshi infiltration. In a recent crackdown the state police detained more than 400 people suspected to have entered the state illegally. Though some of them were later released following verification of documents the move is being seen as a significant step towards weeding out infiltrators.
