Bhubaneswar-Cuttack to get Metro rail connectivity: Odisha Guv

Bhubaneswar: Odisha Governor Ganeshi Lal today said that the State government will attempt to connect the heritage silver city of Cuttack with smart city Bhubaneswar by Metro train.

Addressing the inaugural session of the 16th Odisha Legislative Assembly, the Governor said the government will provide interest free crop loans to small and marginal farmers up to Rs 1 lakh.

"Our women will now get Rs 10 lakh for their treatment instead of Rs 7 lakh under Biju Swasthya Kalyan Yojana. All the widow and destitute women will get social security pension," he added.

He said the government will endeavour to create 30 lakh employment opportunities in six focus sectors and 75 per cent of jobs will be reserved for qualified local youth in all upcoming industries in Odisha.

The Governor said a Micro and Small Enterprises Welfare Board will be formed to work for the sustenance and growth of the MSME sector.

A welfare board will be formed for those engaged in traditional livelihood earning means like priests, barbers and washermen, he added.

For extension of credit at concessional rate to the eligible MSMEs, a suitable 'interest subvention scheme' will be introduced.

"My government proposes to bring out a new industrial policy in line with the perspective plan with emphasis on creation of job opportunities. Best-in-class industrial parks will be established for each of the focus sectors," said Lal.

The Governor informed that the government will complete the construction of 5 new ongoing medical colleges within the next 3 years, promulgate a new industrial policy in line with the perspective plan with emphasis on creation of job opportunities, introduce a suitable interest subvention scheme for extension of credit at concessional rate to MSMEs.

Odisha Smart City Mission will try to develop five municipal corporations cities as smart cities. Apart from Metro rail project, the government will attempt to connect North to South and East to West through Biju Express Way.

On sports sector, the Governor announced that the State government will lay Astro Turfs on all the 17 blocks of Sundergarh district to prepare world class hockey players.