Bhubaneswar: Addressing the people of Odisha on the occasion 77th Independence Day here at the capital city, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik said the State’s economy is growing and getting stronger day by day.
In his Independence Day speech at the State Level Celebrations here, the Chief Minister said, “Odisha is transforming. Its economy is growing. Poverty has decreased. Odisha has been receiving investments worth several lakh crores of rupees creating job opportunities for youths.”
The State Government has decided to open banking outlets in 4,373 unbanked panchayats in the State. With this move, people will have access to banking services in every panchayat. Senior citizens, women and physically challenged persons will be the major beneficiaries of this initiative, he said.
Over 4 lakh new beneficiaries have been included in Madhu Babu Pension Yojana. The new beneficiaries will get pensions from today, the CM stated.
Today, Odisha has reached an era of transformation. The application of the 5T principle in all areas of development like education, health, tourism, and infrastructure has created new hope. All the people of the State either rich or poor and middle class, are being involved in this transformation process, Shri Patnaik pointed out.
Stating every life is precious for his Government, Naveen said the Biju Swasthya Kalyan Yojna (BSKY) has ensured quality healthcare service for everyone.
Similarly, Women are the face of development. The Mission Shakti has emerged as the engine of transformation for them, the Chief Minister said.
“To make youths employable, we will train around one lakh of them every year under the NUA scheme, ” he added.
“Our aim is to develop a modern digital infrastructure base in every village besides protecting the Jagannath culture. For this, we have started the ‘Aama Odisha Nabin Odisha’ program by spending Rs 4,000 crore,” the Chief Minister said.
He said the development of poor people, farmers, women, tribals and youth is real progress. So, he advised the people from all sections of the society to work unitedly to build Odisha as a transformed and progressive State.
Before delivering the speech, Patnaik hoisted the national flag and took the salute. He also paid homage to the Father of the Nation Mahatma Gandhi, Pandit Nehru, Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose, Utkalmani Pandit Gopabandhu Das, Utkal Gaurav Madhusudan Das, Nabakrishna Chaudhary, Gopabandhu Choudhury, Shaheed Laxman Naik, Shaheed Birsa Munda, Veer Surendra Sai, Buxi Jagabandhu, Maa Ramadevi. He also paid his tributes to the martyred jawans who have laid down their lives for the peace and security of the country.
Recounting India’s freedom struggle, Shri Patnaik said, “This struggle was an inspiration for everyone. It was an inspiration for all. Today, India has succeeded in establishing itself as a major power. The successful launch of Chandrayaan 3 has cemented India’s place as an important nation in space research.”
Among others, Chief Secretary Pradeep Kumar Jena, DGP Sunil Bansal, 5T Secretary VK Pandian, I&PR Principal Secretary Sanjay Kumar Singh, Twin City Police Commissioner S K Priyadarshi and senior Government officers attended the I-Day celebration.