Bhubaneswar: Odisha Deputy Chief Minister K V Singh Deo officially took charge as the Minister of Agriculture & Farmers’ Empowerment on Monday. Upon assuming office, Singh Deo expressed gratitude to Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik for entrusting him with this critical portfolio, which directly impacts the majority of the state’s population.
“First and foremost, I would like to thank the Chief Minister for having trusted me and given me one of the most important portfolios of Agriculture because it deals with the majority of people in the State, and the responsibility is humungous. You have to deliver. We have always been faced with farmer suicide cases and others. We have to now work towards ensuring that there are no suicides by farmers in the State,” said Singh Deo during a press briefing. He noted the department’s significant achievement of 90% expenditure and emphasized the goal to reach 100% in the coming days.
Singh Deo also conveyed a strong message of commitment to the people of Odisha, assuring them that the government is dedicated to fulfilling 100% of its promises as outlined in their manifesto. He thanked the citizens for their continued support and confidence in the government. “They [the people] have to just wait and watch for the next couple of months, and our promises will start reaching them,” he added.
Upon his arrival at Krushi Bhavan, Singh Deo received a warm welcome. He participated in a puja ceremony to mark the beginning of his tenure with blessings. Principal Secretary Arabinda Kumar Padhee introduced the Minister to the Agriculture Department team, after which Singh Deo toured Krushi Bhavan to familiarize himself with various departments.
During his tour, he visited the Millet Café, showcasing Odisha’s commitment to promoting nutritious food. This visit underscored the department’s focus on enhancing the state’s agricultural output and improving the well-being of its farmers.