Odisha CM Mohan Charan Majhi, who completed 10 months in office, highlighted his administration’s achievements and vision for the state in an interview with Ashok Pradhan. Excerpts
What do you consider your administration’s most significant achievement in your first 10 months as CM?
There are many. But if I have to single out the most significant, then I should say it’s our success in reaching out to the common man. Since day one, I have been available to the people. Over the past 10 months, we have dealt with over 10,000 grievances and mostly solved their issues with 88% success rate.
We are on a mission to hold grievance redressal initiatives in different cities and towns. Recently, we held a public grievance in Sambalpur and the next one is planned for Berhampur. Our aim is to reach out to the people. This is the essence of democracy.
I am glad that in this short span of time, we have fulfilled all our major promises — opening of the four doors of the temple of Lord Jagannath, Rs 500 crore corpus fund for the temple, Subhadra Yojana for women, Rs 800 input assistance to farmers during paddy procurement, and many more. We have recently launched Antyodaya Gruha Yojana for the poor and destitute. We also rolled out Ayushman Bharat in Odisha which was blocked by the previous govt for political reasons.
Your govt has emphasised tribal welfare and representation. Can you share specific initiatives launched to uplift Odisha’s tribal communities?
We have a number of schemes along with that of the central govt for uplift of tribals. We have floated a new scheme named Saheed Laxman Nayak Adarsh Ashram Vidyalaya Yojana to redevelop Ashram schools. We are also implementing many central schemes which can transform tribal life. Besides, we are opening Tribal Swabhiman Bhawan and Tribal Language & Culture Institute to promote the vibrant culture of tribal people. To address the dropout rate among tribal children, we have launched Madho Singh Haath Kharch Yojana, where we are giving tribal students Rs 5,000 each, benefiting over 2 lakh students.
Odisha has seen major investment proposals in events such as Utkarsh Odisha conclave. How is your govt ensuring these translate into actual jobs and development?
As you know, Utkarsh Odisha-Make in Odisha Conclave held in Jan has surpassed all previous records by attracting investment proposals to the tune of Rs 12.89 lakh crore. Investments have been received across various sectors. These investments are expected to generate over 8.94 lakh job opportunities, creating a significant socio-economic impact.
We have created a dedicated team that is providing all necessary facilitation to potential investors to set up units here. I am personally interacting with investors and our team is always ready to resolve issues, if any, at the highest level.
BJP promised to address ‘Odia Asmita’. How has your administration worked to promote Odisha’s cultural and linguistic identity?
It’s one of our core agenda. We have been taking a number of steps including opening of four doors of the temple of Lord Jagannath, Rs 500 crore corpus fund for the temple, construction of Odia Asmita Bhawan, museum for palm leaf manuscripts, establishing memorials for Odia heroes, and many others. For the first time, we celebrated Utkal Divas at the birthplace of Utkal Gourav Madhusudan Das. From Utkal Divas to Odia New Year, Odia pakshya (fortnight) was celebrated dedicating each day to a specific aspect linked to our Asmita.
Critics have pointed to a lack of groundbreaking ideas from your govt. How would you respond to that? What big-ticket projects are in the pipeline?
There will always be naysayers. Massive investments in infrastructure, development of Paradip as a petrochemical hub with support from IOCL, huge investments in metals and mining sector will spur an economic growth Odisha has seen never before. Despite leading the metals and mining sector, we are keen on diversification of investments in sectors such as petrochemicals, textiles, food processing, IT, tourism and other sectors.
Our agreement with IOCL, ISPRL, Petronet LNG entails an investment of about Rs 1 lakh crore and expected to generate nearly 70,000 jobs. It will strengthen Odisha’s strategic role in the petrochemical landscape of the country.
Besides, some of the leading IT companies are opening their centres in Bhubaneswar. We expect the creation of over 50,000 jobs in the IT sector in next 5 years.
In textiles and apparel sector, we have received investment offers of over Rs 7,700 crore which can create over 88,000 direct and indirect jobs. Our plan for the state’s growth for the next five years will certainly be a golden period in our development history.
Odisha faces challenges like rural poverty and unemployment. What steps has your govt taken to tackle these issues?
In these 10 months, we have filled up over 25,000 vacancies in the govt. We have a target of filling up 1.5 lakh govt posts in coming years. Besides, setting up industries will create huge job opportunities. In addition, we are encouraging rural women to take up small businesses through schemes like Subhadra and other interest subvention schemes for SHGs. Under the Lakhpati Didi scheme, Odisha has outperformed other states in terms of target, wherein our success is about 90%. I think, rural poverty and unemployment will be a thing of the past in a few years. Odisha will witness reverse migration.
As the first BJP CM after 24 years of BJD rule, how have you worked to differentiate your governance style from that of your predecessor’s?
As I said in the beginning, I have a better connect with the common people. I am accessible to the people 24×7. Reaching out to people and trying to solve their issues defines the democratic character of my governance style, which was absent previously.
Besides, as people’s chief minister, I am working along with my team on a long-term vision for Odisha in alignment with the vision of the Prime Minister. We are making all out efforts for holistic development.
Mining is a key economic driver in Odisha, but it has environmental and social costs. How is your administration balancing growth with sustainability?
Mining is essential for development. We are identifying land for compensatory afforestation, asking industries to use green tech, and following a strict green norm for industries as per provisions.
Odisha can have 22 ministers but you have chosen to have a smaller council of 16. When will you increase the numbers?
We will take a decision at an appropriate time.
What are your top priorities for Odisha in the coming year?
We have huge plans for industries, infrastructure, employment, empowerment of women and farmers. We are working round-the-clock to realize these objectives. You will witness visible success in the coming days.