Odisha has scripted a remarkable turnaround in just 20 months:Mohan Charan Majhi

Bhubaneswar:28/2/26:In a powerful show of intent, Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Friday graced the two-day state-level conference “Vikash Manthan 1.0: Governance in Action” at the Lok Seva Bhawan Convention Centre and declared that Odisha has scripted a remarkable turnaround in just 20 months.

Addressing policymakers, senior officials and experts, the Chief Minister said strong leadership, clear policies and collective resolve have positioned Odisha as one of India’s fastest-rising states.

“Such platforms for open deliberation are extremely essential to give clear direction for building a prosperous Odisha,” he emphasised.

Key Highlights of 20 Months

• Economic growth rate touches 7.9% — higher than the national average
• Rs 20 lakh crore capital investment attracted
• 109 major projects grounded/inagurated worth Rs 2.40 lakh crore, creating 1.76 lakh direct jobs
• State budget to cross Rs 3 lakh crore for the first time
• Infrastructure outlay at Rs 72,100 crore (6.5% of GSDP)
• Debt-GSDP ratio lowest among major states at 13.6% — well below FRBM limit

The Chief Minister specially lauded the co-organiser, Odisha Centre for Integrated Development (OCID), for facilitating this critical dialogue.

Sectoral Achievements

Women’s empowerment through the Subhadra Yojana has made over one crore women economically independent, with nearly 17 lakh becoming Lakhpati Didis.

Farmers received record support: 92.63 lakh metric tonnes of paddy procured in 2024-25 at ₹3,100 per quintal, releasing ₹28,715 crore directly into their accounts.

In education, 45,000 new Shishu Batikas opened and over 20,000 teacher posts filled. The first phase of the Godabarish Adarsh Primary School scheme will set up 2,200 model schools at a cost of ₹12,000 crore.

Health allocation for 2026-27 proposed at ₹23,182 crore. Under Ayushman Bharat–Gopabandhu Jana Arogya Yojana, 1.03 crore families (3.47 crore individuals) are now covered.

The government has set a target to provide piped drinking water to every village by March 2027.

Vision 2047

The Bhubaneswar–Cuttack–Puri–Paradeep Economic Region (BCPPER) has been earmarked to become a $500 billion economy by 2047.

Cultural Renaissance

A corpus fund is being created for Shree Jagannath Temple, heritage villages are being protected, and Balijatra is being promoted globally. After 48 years, the sacred Ratna Bhandar ornaments of Lord Jagannath are being inventoried.

More than 500 policymakers, officers and domain experts are participating in the two-day deliberations. Chief Secretary Smt. Anu Garg and the Development Commissioner-cum-Additional Chief Secretary, Shri Deo Kumar Singh Deo, were among the dignitaries present.

OCID Secretary Rana Prithviraj Singh proposed the vote of thanks.

The conference will continue tomorrow with focused sessions on governance reforms, economic strategy, and inclusive development.