 "Odisha plan size pegged at Rs 27,000 cr in 2014-15")
The state also expects to maintain its high growth tempo, with the average annual growth rate pegged at nine per cent in the 12th Plan period (2012-17). During the 11th Plan, Odisha had logged growth of 8.23 per cent.
“I am proud to state that Odisha’s Plan size which was Rs 2,484 crore in 1999-2000 has increased to Rs 21,467 crore in 2013-14 and is likely to rise to Rs 27,000 crore for 2014-15. Capital outlay in 1999-2000 was only Rs 799 crore, but this has gone up to Rs 7,840.13 crore in 2013-14,” Odisha Governor S C Jamir said in his address to the final session of the assembly before the impending elections due in May.
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Highlighting the fiscal reforms of the Naveen Patnaik led government, he said, “My government has been able to reduce the net debt stock from 46.48 per cent of gross state domestic product (GSDP) in 2001-02 to 17.87 per cent in 2011-12, thereby achieving the desired level of debt-GSDP ratio of 25 per cent recommended by the 13th Finance Commission. With improvement in fiscal situation, the state government has not resorted to open market borrowing since 2005-06. The contribution of state’s own tax revenue has been improving consistently and its share in the total revenue has increased from 41 per cent in 1999-2000 to 52.60 per cent in 2012-13.”
The state’s real per capita income (at 2004-05 prices) has increased from Rs 14,862 crore in 1999-2000 to Rs 26,900 crore in 2011-12, an increase of 77 per cent in the period.
The Governor, in his address, claimed substantial decline in left wing extremism, attributing it to augmentation in striking capabilities of the Special Operations Group (SOG) and also by building an effective intelligence network.
Commenting on the government initiative for farmers, Jamir said, “Free mobile phones have been provided to 20,000 farmer families to keep them updated with market information. The government is extending lowest ever interest rate of two per cent to farmers of our state through cooperative banks and commercial banks. Farmers are given rebate of up to 80 per cent of water cess wherever the irrigation system is managed by pani panchayats and the same rebate goes up to 90 per cent in KBK (Kalahandi-Bolangir-Koraput) region.”
The Governor's address was by and large mum on industrial progress and was replete with achievements under people centric schemes of the government like ‘Mamata, Madhubabu Pension’ scheme, ‘Mo Kudia’ scheme and ‘Nua Arunima’ to name a few.