Odisha's Economic Transformation Under Chief Minister Majhi's Leadership
In a significant address at the "Vikas Manthan 1.0: Governance in Action" conference held at the Lokseva Bhavan Convention Centre in Bhubaneswar, Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi declared that Odisha has firmly established itself as a leading state in India. This achievement, he emphasized, is the direct result of strong leadership, clear policy frameworks, and a collective resolve among the state's administration and citizens. The state government has been actively pursuing the ambitious "Bikashita Odisha—Bikashita Bharat" vision over the past 20 months, focusing on comprehensive development across multiple sectors.
Economic Growth and Investment Milestones
Chief Minister Majhi presented compelling data showcasing Odisha's robust economic performance. The state's economic growth rate for the current year stands at an impressive 7.9%, which notably exceeds the national average. This growth has been fueled by substantial investment inflows, with Odisha attracting nearly Rs 20 lakh crore in investments during the last 20 months alone. Furthermore, foundation stones have been laid for 109 major projects valued at Rs 2.4 lakh crore, collectively generating approximately 1.76 lakh new employment opportunities for the state's residents.
Majhi highlighted that Odisha has received national recognition for its ease of doing business environment. To bolster this further, the government has formulated new, forward-looking policies targeting key growth sectors including electronics, artificial intelligence, global capability centers, and semiconductors. These initiatives are part of a broader strategy to transform Odisha into a digital and industrial powerhouse on the national stage.
Fiscal Strength and Infrastructure Development
The Chief Minister announced a landmark fiscal achievement, with the state budget poised to exceed Rs 3 lakh crore for the first time in Odisha's history. A significant portion of this budget, amounting to Rs 72,100 crore, is allocated specifically for infrastructure development. This investment represents 6.5% of the state's Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP), underscoring the government's commitment to building modern, resilient infrastructure. Additionally, Majhi noted that Odisha maintains the lowest debt rate among larger Indian states at just 13.6%, reflecting prudent fiscal management.
Social Welfare and Empowerment Initiatives
On the social front, Majhi detailed extensive welfare measures that have empowered millions. Through the 'Subhadra' scheme, more than 1 crore women have achieved financial independence, with approximately 17 lakh women attaining the status of 'Lakhpati Didis', signifying their economic success. In the education sector, the government has opened 45,000 kindergartens and filled over 20,000 teacher positions to enhance educational access and quality. Under the first phase of the Godabarish Model Primary School Scheme, 2,200 schools are being established with an investment of Rs 12,000 crore.
Healthcare improvements are also a priority, with a proposal of Rs 23,182 crore in place for the 2026-27 period. Currently, 3.47 crore individuals from 1.03 crore families are benefiting from the Ayushman Bharat–Gopabandhu Jan Arogya Yojana, ensuring wider access to medical services. Majhi also set ambitious future goals, including providing piped water to all villages by March 2027 and expanding the Bhubaneswar-Cuttack-Puri-Paradip Economic Region (BCPPER) economy to reach $500 billion by 2047.
Conference Participation and Collaborative Efforts
The two-day state-level conference saw active participation from more than 500 policymakers, government officials, and sector experts. Notable attendees included Chief Secretary Anu Garg and Development Commissioner and Additional Chief Secretary Deo Ranjan Kumar Singh. Chief Minister Majhi commended the Odisha Centre for Integrated Development (OCID) for co-organizing the event, stating that such discussions are essential for providing clear guidance and fostering collaborative efforts to build a prosperous and developed Odisha.
