BHUBANESWAR: Governor Raghubar Das on Monday announced that over 3.5 lakh jobs will be created by 2029 through the Make-in-Odisha initiative to boost employment and growth in state.
In his address to the Assembly amid the Opposition walkout on the first day of the budget session, the Governor said the government will also ensure recruitment to all the 1.5 lakh vacant posts including 65,000 within the next two years. Priority will be given to fill up vacancies earmarked for SC, ST, SEBC, PwD, sportspersons and ex-servicemen, he said.
He said that the state government will enhance skilling efforts and apprenticeship avenues for youth and focus on the automobile, EVs, semiconductor and IT/ITES sectors to create more employment opportunities.
Outlining the priorities of the maiden BJP government in the state, Das said, it will work on the commitment to realise the mission of ‘Viksit Odisha’ by 2036 with pro-farmer policies, employment for youth and empowerment of women. “The motto of the government will be reform, perform and transform to usher in new era of inclusive, rapid and sustainable development,” he said.
The Governor said that the state government envisages Odisha to be the powerhouse of eastern India in industrial and infrastructure development, leveraging natural resources sustainably, improving education and skill development, ensuring financial inclusion and other sectors.
He announced that the government will transform the agriculture sector by introducing the Samrudh Krushak Niti under which paddy will be procured at `3,100 per quintal and payment will be made within 48 hours via direct benefit transfer.
Stating that the government pays utmost respect to Matru Shakti, the Governor said the government aims to create 25 lakh Lakhpati Didis in Odisha by 2027 by establishing industrial clusters for SHGs, providing facility management for product marketing and promotion. He said the state government will also offer incentives for SHGs that have successfully transitioned into SMSEs.
Besides, the Governor said, the government will revolutionise learning by introducing AI platform in government schools. All the government engineering colleges of the state will be upgraded, he said and added that 800 government schools will be developed into PM-SHRI schools.
Announcing that the government is going to implement the Ayushman Bharat-Pradhan Mantri Jan Aarogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY) in Odisha, he said that 3,000 new doctors will be appointed across the state. The government will also ensure availability of gynaecologists, paediatricians and adequate nurses in all district hospitals.
Das reiterated the commitment to promote, preserve and propagate Odia Asmita. An Odia Asmita Bhavan, palm leaf manuscript museum, Odia Translation Academy, Paika rebellion memorial, e-library and Odia chair at national and international universities will be set up to further such objectives. Similarly, the government will also set up new generation, transmission and distribution facilities to strengthen energy infrastructure and ensure reliable, quality and affordable power to consumers, he said.