Bhubaneswar: In a significant move towards boosting employment, Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi announced the state government’s ambitious plan to generate 3.5 lakh job opportunities over the next five years. This announcement was made during a review meeting on the progress of the industrial sector held at the Lok Seva Bhawan today.
Majhi underscored the importance of focusing on employment-generating sectors, particularly textiles and food processing, given their high potential for job creation. He urged the establishment of more industries in these sectors and encouraged Odia entrepreneurs to invest and set up businesses in these fields.
During the review, Majhi highlighted the absence of a mega steel plant in the mineral-rich district of Keonjhar, despite its abundant resources such as land, water, electricity, and communication facilities. He directed officials to accelerate efforts to establish such a plant in the district. A task force, chaired by the Chief Secretary, will be formed to negotiate with various industrial houses to expedite this process.
Hemant Sharma, Principal Secretary of Industries, provided an update on the progress of industrial projects in the state. Since 2016, the Single Window Authority has approved 674 out of 989 applications for setting up industries, with land handed over to 352 projects. Additionally, 183 projects have commenced construction, and 74 have become operational.
Sharma also mentioned that there are currently 12 foreign investment proposals in the state, and the Industries Department is working on implementing 41 significant investment proposals.
Chief Minister Majhi emphasized the substantial opportunities for industrial development in Odisha and the need to expedite processes to support industrial organizations. He called for all relevant government departments to cooperate in fulfilling the needs of these organizations.
The meeting was attended by Industries Minister Sampad Chandra Swain, Chief Secretary Manoj Ahuja, Additional Chief Secretary to the Chief Minister Nikunj Bihari Dhal, Principal Secretary of the Finance Department Saswat Mishra, Managing Director of IPICOL Bhupinder Singh Poonia, and other senior officials from the Industries Department.
