BHUBANESWAR:Despite the resource crunch due to shortfall of around Rs 7,000 crore from the mining sector, Governor SC Jamir on Friday said Odisha registered a reasonably high annual growth rate of 6.84 per cent during first two years of the 12th Plan compared to national average of 4.7 per cent.
Delivering his address in the Assembly amid boycott by Opposition Congress and BJP, the Governor said improvement in fiscal situation has given considerable space to shift focus to create capital assets which is being financed from the surplus that Government is
able to generate in revenue account. “We have not resorted to any market borrowing since the last eight years and this is a good lesson for others to emulate,” he said.
The Governor’s address, however, did not have any mention of chit fund, land and mining scams, growing crime against women in the State and jaundice which spread in different areas due to intake of contaminated water.
Jamir claimed that the real per capita income in Odisha at 2004-05 prices has increased from Rs 14,862 in 1999-2000 to Rs 25,415 in 2012-13 and it is the only State in the country where there is highest reduction in poverty level of 24.6 per cent between 2004-05 and 2011-12.
Stating that the Government with a focus on farm sector has adopted an exclusive budget on agriculture, the Governor claimed that the State is set to register the highest ever foodgrain production of 120 lakh tonne this year due to resilience displayed by farmers in the aftermath of cyclones Phailin and Hud Hud.
Reiterating the State Government’s commitment to provide irrigation to every farmer up to five hectare (ha) in Kharif season and two ha in Rabi season, Jamir said the target has been set to disburse Rs 8,500 crore crop loans in 2015-16.
Describing left wing extremism as a big challenge, the Governor said significant achievements of law and order machinery in containing this must be appreciated and encouraged and their resolve to eradicate such a menace hindering growth and development of vulnerable sections of society must be strengthened.