Odisha Economy

The laying of foundation stones for three rail lines in Odisha's Mayurbhanj district by President Droupadi Murmu will enhance connectivity to the Simlipal forest reserve, besides offering other benefits such as giving a boost to the local economy and development of backward areas, Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said on Saturday. Murmu laid the foundation stones for the three rail lines -- Bangiriposi-Gorumahisani, Buramara-Chakulia and Badampahar-Kendujhargarh -- at Bangiriposi in Mayurbhanj district on Saturday. Vaishnaw, who attended the ceremony at Bangiriposi, said Simlipal was declared a biosphere reserve by the UNESCO World Network and it is considered among the world's top 50 most sought-after places. "According to Time Magazine, if you have to visit 50 best places in the world, Simlipal is one of those. These three upcoming rail lines will provide easy connectivity for tourists to this place, along with many other cultural and heritage centres," he said. "Besides, these

The Odisha government on Thursday approved 20 investment projects worth Rs 1.36 lakh crore, an official statement said. The High-Level Clearance Authority (HLCA) headed by Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi has approved the projects, poised to generate employment for over 74,350 individuals and significantly bolster the state's economic growth, it said. The approved projects span nine sectors including steel, chemicals, aluminium, aviation fuel, green energy and equipment, apparel and textiles, power and renewable energy and cement. These projects will be set up in 10 districts of Odisha such as Jajpur, Jharsuguda, Khurda, Sambalpur, Ganjam, Kalahandi, Malkangiri, Dhenkanal, Bhadrak and Jagatsinghpur, it said. "Through strong cooperation between the state and central governments, we have fostered a business-friendly environment that attracts investors to Odisha. Our focus is on creating an ecosystem that promotes inclusive growth, sustainability, and job creation," Majhi said. The

The companies plan to distribute 2,000 improved cookstoves and work to replace invasive plant species

Prime Minister Narendra Modi asserted on Sunday that his government considers India's eastern region as the country's growth engine, while the area was considered backward earlier. Addressing a gathering at the "Odisha Parba" event here, the prime minister said investments of Rs 45,000 crore have been approved within 100 days of the formation of a new government in the state. "Odisha has always been a land of seers and scholars. The way the scholars here took our religious texts to every household and connected the public with those, it has played a crucial role in the cultural prosperity of India. "There was a time when India's eastern region and the states there were called backward. However, I consider India's eastern region as the country's growth engine. That is why we have prioritised the development of India's eastern region," he said. "The budget that we now allocate to Odisha is three times higher than what it was 10 years ago. We are working rapidly in every sector for ..

Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi has unveiled the logo and web portal for the state's vision document and urged people to give suggestions and opinions for development. The realisation of a dream of building a developed Odisha will play an important role in making a developed India by 2047, he said. Under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the country today is progressing on the development path. Special emphasis is being given to Odisha as part of the Mission Purvodaya, Majhi said. The CM on Wednesday unveiled the web portal Bikasita Bharat pain bikasita Odisha (developed Odisha in developed India) that sought inputs from people for the vision document. Our government is requesting intellectuals, organisations, educators and non-resident Odias to give their suggestions and opinions for the development of the state. Their opinion will be included in the vision document in the coming days and will be discussed, he said. The proposals will be assessed and ...

The price of vegetables including potato and onion has increased in Odisha markets as consumers resorted to panic buying amid IMD's prediction of a cyclone hitting the Odisha coast, traders said on Tuesday. At Chhatra Bazaar in Cuttack, the price of potato has increased from Rs 30 to Rs 50 per kg on Tuesday. The price of onion has also increased to Rs 60 per kg from Rs 40 in the market, which is one of the largest vegetable markets in Odisha. Tomato is being sold for Rs 80 to 100 in the local markets in Bhubaneswar, traders said. The price of other vegetables like bins, brinjal, ladyfinger, cauliflower has also increased by Rs 10 to 20 per kilogramme. There was a huge rush in the vegetable markets as consumers wanted to store sufficient amounts of vegetables especially potato and onion in view of the cyclone, which is expected to hit Odisha coast by October 25. "We don't know how the market will be after the cyclone hits the state. If the supply chain is disrupted, it may lead to

Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Saturday said his government is fully committed to ushering in a new era of industrial development and asked industrialists to invest in the state. Odisha is poised to become a modern hub of industrial and economic activity, Majhi said while addressing industry leaders at a session of "Investment Opportunity in Odisha" in Mumbai. "I am proud to declare that Odisha, India's best-kept secret, is now ready to be explored," Majhi said, according to an official release issued by the Odisha CMO. The state plans similar conferences and road shows in Hyderabad, Bengaluru, Europe and Singapore to attract Rs 5 lakh crore investments for Odisha in the next five years. He highlighted Odisha's high GDP growth and the advantages of its geographical location, natural resources, coastline, infrastructure and ports. The state plans to hold its "Utkarsh Odisha Make in Odisha Conclave 2025", scheduled for January 28-29, 2025, in Bhubaneswar. Majhi said O

Odisha's former chief minister and BJD president Naveen Patnaik on Saturday said his party will undertake a detailed study on the One nation, one election' proposal before taking a stand on the subject. During an interaction at the 12th edition of the Odisha Literary Festival organised by the New Indian Express, he said the party will examine the proposal and its execution. Let the details come forth, we will study and take a stand, he said. Replying to a question on the new BJP government in the state, Patnaik said, All can see how the law and order situation in Odisha has declined with the incident of the governor's son at Puri. Recently, an army major and his fiance were harassed violently at a major police station in the capital city. This is not a good record." He referred to the "assault" of an Odia officer allegedly by Governor Raghubar Das' son. The alleged sexual assault of an army officer's fiance at a police station here sparked outrage on Friday with Patnaik condemning

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday launched the Odisha government's flagship women-centric programme Subhadra Yojana, and unveiled railway and national highway projects worth over Rs 3,800 crore here, marking 100 days of the third NDA regime at the Centre. Modi also released the first instalment of assistance to nearly 10 lakh beneficiaries under PMAY-G across 14 states. He also took part in 'Griha Pravesh' celebrations for 26 lakh beneficiaries under the housing scheme from across the country. He also launched Awaas+ 2024 App for a survey of additional households for PMAY-G. While participating in the Griha Pravesh celebrations, Modi visited Sabar Sahi slum in Bhubaneswar where he interacted with the beneficiaries. The PM inaugurated the homes of 20 beneficiaries under the PMAY there. Accompanied by Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, the PM visited the home of Antaryami Nayak, a beneficiary of the housing scheme, and savoured the traditional Odia sweet dish, 'kheeri'

According to the Prime Minister's Office, 'SUBHADRA' scheme is the largest, single women-centric scheme and is expected to cover more than 1 crore women

Union Minister Anupriya Patel on Friday said Odisha is ready to become a leader in the petrochemical sector which is projected to be a USD 1 trillion industry by 2047. Addressing a conference "Advanced India: Indian Chemicals and Petrochemicals Paving the Future" here, she said the eastern state with its skilled manpower and strategic coastal location is poised to become a major hub in the sector. She also said the India Chem 2024 summit, scheduled to take place in Mumbai from October 17-19 after a two-year hiatus, is expected to attract significant global participation. Odisha, with its skilled manpower and strategic coastal location, is poised to become a major hub for chemicals and petrochemicals, and will offer vast opportunities for manufacturing, employment and exports, Patel, the minister of state for chemicals and fertilizers, said. The sector, currently valued at USD 220 billion, is projected to surpass USD 1 trillion by 2047, she said, adding that the government's focus o

Odisha and WFP are introducing 'Annapurti' 24-hour grain ATMs statewide to enhance food security. The first machine was launched in Bhubaneshwar on August 9

Odisha, Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh, Karnataka and Jharkhand, are India's top five mineral producing states by value annually, and in the same order as of FY23 data

The policy is aimed at supporting the health and well-being of the menstruating people and will be extended to both public and private sector

The Assembly on Wednesday passed the Odisha Appropriation (Vote-on-Account No.2) Bill, 2024, which authorises the state government to withdraw Rs 95,000 crore from the Consolidated Fund for use in August and September of the current 25 financial year. Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, who also oversees the finance department, presented the Bill. It was passed by a voice vote despite protests from the Opposition, including members of the BJD and Congress, who walked out. This is the second Vote-on-Account passed within the same financial year. The first was approved in February, covering the months of April, May, June, and July. Since the current Vote-on-Account expires on Wednesday, July 31, well before the budget's passage, the state introduced this second Vote-on-Account to cover expenditures for August and September. Before the House passed the Bill, Majhi explained, "I have presented a Bill of Rs 95,000 crore for the House's approval. This appropriation includes 30 per cent ...

The resolution assumes significance as the RSS is also the ideological fountainhead of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)

The BJP government in Odisha presented its maiden budget on Thursday with a total estimate of Rs 2.65 lakh crore for the 2024-25 fiscal, laying emphasis on agriculture and women empowerment. The size of the budget for the current financial year was around 15 per cent more than the budgetary estimate of Rs 2.30 lakh crore for the 2023-24 fiscal, Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi said in the assembly. Majhi, who also holds the finance portfolio, modified and renamed several popular schemes like KALIA, 'Biju Swasthya Kalyan Yojana' (BSKY) and 'Biju Pucca Ghar Yojana' (BPGY). He proposed an outlay of Rs 33,919 crore for agriculture, which is about 36 per cent more than the allocation made in the previous year. Of the total budget estimates, programme expenditure was pegged at Rs 1.55 lakh crore, administrative expenditure at Rs 97,725 crore and an outlay of Rs 3,900 crore for Disaster Risk Management Funds, he said. To ensure the speedy empowerment of women, as promised by the BJP in

The BJP government in Odisha presented its maiden budget on Thursday with a total estimate of Rs 2.65 lakh crore for the 2024-25 fiscal, laying emphasis on agriculture and women empowerment. The size of the budget for the current financial year was around 15 per cent more than the budgetary estimate of Rs 2.30 lakh crore for the 2023-24 fiscal, Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi said in the assembly. Majhi, who also holds the finance portfolio, proposed an outlay of Rs 33,919 crore for agriculture, which is about 36 per cent more than the allocation made in the previous year. Of the total budget estimates, programme expenditure was pegged at Rs 1.55 lakh crore, administrative expenditure at Rs 97,725 crore and an outlay of Rs 3,900 crore for Disaster Risk Management Funds, he said. To ensure the speedy empowerment of women, as promised by the BJP in its election manifesto, Majhi allocated Rs 10,000 crore for the 'Subhadra' scheme, a financial assistance programme for women. The chi

India on Wednesday successfully flight-tested the second phase of its ballistic missile defence system, demonstrating home-grown capabilities to defend against hostile missiles having a range of 5,000 km. The flight test fully met all the trial objectives validating complete network centric warfare weapon system, the defence ministry said. The missile was tested at the integrated test range (ITR) in Odisha's Chandipur. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh complimented the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) for the successful flight test and stated that it has again demonstrated India's ballistic missiles defence capability. "The DRDO successfully flight-tested Phase-II Ballistic Missile Defence System on July 24," the ministry said. The target missile was launched at 1620 hours mimicking an adversary ballistic missile, which was detected by weapon system radars deployed on land and sea and activated the interceptor system. "The Phase-II AD Endo-atmospheric missile was

Odisha Governor Raghubar Das on Monday said the state government will fill 1.5 lakh vacant government posts in a fair and transparent manner, with 65,000 positions set to be filled within the next two years. He made these remarks during the inaugural session of the newly formed 17th Odisha Legislative Assembly. In a bid to transform Odisha into a vibrant manufacturing hub, the state government will prioritise industries such as automobile, electric vehicles (EV), semiconductors, and IT/ITES under the Make in Odisha' initiative, he said, adding such a move will generate over 3.5 lakh jobs by 2029, thereby boosting economic growth and employment opportunities across the state. Das emphasised the government's commitment to enhancing skill development and apprenticeship opportunities for youth to equip them with essential experience and expertise. Highlighting the empowerment of SC and ST youths, Das underscored the government's efforts to foster entrepreneurial initiatives among these