Governor Kambhampati’s address launched Odisha’s Budget Session, emphasizing development, welfare and job creation as the state looks towards a prosperous future
OdishaPlus Bureau
Governor Hari Babu Kambhampati remarked on Thursday that the citizens of Odisha did not merely cast their votes in the 2024 election; rather, they demonstrated their desire for change by selecting a new government.
During his address on the inaugural day of the Assembly’s budget session, the Governor noted, “The electorate of Odisha chose transformation over the status quo in the 2024 general election, as many of the state’s commitments had frequently gone unfulfilled. They welcomed the assurances of our administration, which pledges to listen, comprehend, and take action, as they grew weary of waiting for a change that seemed perpetually elusive.”
He emphasized that the populace has placed their hopes in the new government—hopes of the underprivileged, aspirations of the youth, dreams of the agricultural community, and ambitions of women—confident that this shift would herald a new era of unparalleled prosperity.
“Despite its illustrious history as a vibrant hub of international trade, with rich mineral resources and a wealth of human capital, Odisha has faced challenges in realizing its vast potential in the years following independence,” he added.
With a resolute vision for the future and a clear mandate from the populace, the government has assumed the responsibility of guiding the state towards prosperity.
The Governor highlighted that within a mere eight months, the government has already made several significant decisions, initiated numerous programs, and organized major events for both the state and the nation.
Among its notable accomplishments, the state government has launched its flagship initiative, ‘Subhadra,’ which has benefited over ten million individuals. “Additionally, it has introduced the ‘Samruddha Krushak Yojana,’ providing input assistance of Rs. 800 per quintal of paddy, supplementing the minimum support price of Rs 2,300 per quintal,” he stated.
Furthermore, the government has opened the inner Ratna Bhandar of Shree Mandira, addressing the long-standing requests of devotees, and has undertaken various efforts to promote Odia Asmita.
The Governor emphasized the significant role of the state government in organizing major events, such as the DG/IGP Conference, the 18th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas, the visit from the President of Singapore, and the Utkarsh Odisha-Make in Odisha Conclave. He also mentioned that the government has received three hundred thousand suggestions for ‘Vision 2036,’ an ambitious initiative designed to elevate Odisha to a developed state with a USD 500 billion economy by the year 2036.
He further elaborated that the government has formulated a comprehensive strategy for ‘Viksit Odisha for Viksit Bharat 2027,’ which aims for Odisha to contribute USD 1.5 trillion to the national economy by that time.
In terms of employment initiatives, the Governor announced the government’s objective to fill 150,000 government positions over the next five years, with 65,000 of these positions expected to be filled within the next two years. He noted that over 24,000 posts have already been filled in the 2024-25 period. Additionally, the government plans to empower 2.5 million women as ‘Lakhpati Didi’ by 2027.
