‘Odisha people will set new record in country’s political history’: CM Naveen Patnaik chairs last Cabinet meet before Assembly polls

“I always feel profoundly blessed and humbled by the intense faith of the people which also inspires me to work harder. The next 10 years will be decisive for Odisha’s future. We will herald an empowered Odisha– modern, dynamic and responsive – primarily for our youth. Also, for our women and children, entrepreneurs, farmers and tribal people,” said Patnaik on the occasion.

Recalling his government’s journey in the past 24 years ever since he took over the reins of Odisha on March 5, 2000, the chief minister said Odisha that was looked down upon as a poor underdeveloped state has now been considered a progressive state. “Today, Odisha is recognised as one of the most progressive states in the country and is cited as a model in various fields,” he added.

The chief minister underlined his government’s achievements in areas such as disaster management, women empowerment, food security, infrastructure development and preserving the state’s cultural heritage.

Patnaik said that Odisha is among the few states with the sharpest drop in multidimensional poverty in the last five years. “We are among the fastest developing economies in the country. In spite of the large number of people-oriented schemes, Odisha has been rated as the best in fiscal management, due to our prudent fiscal practices and major revenue generation efforts through transparent mineral auction process and increasing industrial growth,” he added.

In sync with his government’s vision to make Odisha the ‘number one state in the country in every field” by 2036, when Odisha will complete 100 years of its formation, Patnaik said the future of Odisha is bright.

Amid debate over his successor in Biju Janata Dal party, Patnaik said the coming decade will be the decade of the youth. “Our entire focus will be towards providing the best of educational and employment opportunities to the aspiring youth and empowering them to achieve their dreams. The youth of the state will build New Odisha – a state which will set benchmarks in every sector and bring prosperity to its people,” he said.

Together with strengthening our roots, New Odisha will also firm up her wings to scale the horizon, said the chief minister.