Odisha heads for 9% growth: SC Jamir

Bhubaneswar: Odisha Governor SC Jamir on Monday expressed hope that the state’s economy would register an average growth of 9% during the 12th Five Year Plan (2012-13 to 2016-17).

“The state recorded average annual growth of 8.23% during 11th plan at 2004-05 prices. The high growth rate witnessed is here to stay, as it is estimated that Odisha’s economy would register an average growth of 9% even during the 12th plan period,” Jamir said addressing the 15th Session of 14th Odisha Assembly.

He stated: “The real per capita income in Odisha at 2004-05 prices has increased from Rs 14,862 in 1999-2000 to Rs 26,990 in 2011-12, an increase of over 77% during the period.”

Mentioning about poverty reduction in Odisha, he said that the state has witnessed the highest reduction in poverty among all Indian states with the ratio dropping by 24.6 percentage points.

Jamir noted, Agriculture continues to be the backbone of Odisha’s economy as more than 60% of our population is dependent on it.

“In the 12th Plan the state government has decided to invest an additional amount of Rs 3,000 crore to sink 1 lakh deep wells across the State,” he stated.

Talking about women security, he informed the House that Protection Officers have been appointed at district level to address the issues of domestic violence under Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act, 2005.

Besides, the guidelines for implementation of Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act have already been framed, he said.

Informing the House about the slew of measures the state government has taken up for the ensuing Nabakalebar of Lord Jagannath next year, Jamir stated Rs 282 crore would be invested to up-grade the existing energy infrastructure such as consctruction of new grid substations and lines including underground cabling the temple town and adjoining areas.