Bhubaneswar, 20/08/2016: Odisha has excelled in achieving inclusive economic growth as it has surpassed other States significantly, Minister, Finance & PE Pradip Kumar Amat said while inaugurating the Madhusudan Memorial Lecture on “Growth of Odisha Economy: Equity and Poverty Scenario” at Madhusudan Das Regional Academy here on Saturday.
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Economic growth will have a real impact on the society when it is sustainable and evenly distributed. Hence, the Policy makers and Economists have been focusing on Economic Development and more significantly on “Sustainable Economic Development”. Inequality in distribution of wealth leads to adverse social issues, Amat said.
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To add to our worries is the poverty scenario of the state. For this, we have been striving consistently and continuously to achieve sustainable and inclusive higher economic growth, reduction of regional, social and gender disparities and a faster rate of poverty reduction. Our State’s economy exhibited an average annual growth rate of 8.2 percent during the 10th plan (2002-07) period. The economy grew in real terms during the 11th plan period.
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The growth rate of Odisha economy during 2014-15 has been 8.78 percent. We have surpassed in some areas. Odisha is the first state to launch the National Rural livelihoods Mission in its bid to bring down rural poverty by promoting diversified and gainful self-employment to the rural poor.
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Odisha has the distinction of achieving maximum poverty reduction by 24.6% during 2004 to 2011-12. The number of people below poverty line has declined considerably in 2015-16. Poverty declined in all regions and among all social classes such as SC, ST, OBC and others. This confirms the inclusive growth objective of the State.
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Several programmes are being implemented in the state for poverty alleviation and accelerating inclusive broad based growth for overall development of the state. These programmes include Odisha Rural Livelihoods Programme (Jeebika), an initiative for providing additional livelihoods component, Jalanidhi, promoting private Lift Irrigation Points, Increase in purchase price of Kendu Leaves benefiting 8 lakh pluckers, Integrated Livestock Development programme (Kalyani), Coverage of I I lakh fishermen in Group Accident Insurance Scheme, Mamata Yojana providing partial wage compensation for pregnant and nursing mothers, Bhima Bhoi Samarthya Abhijan, benefiting persons with disability, Grama Sabha Sashaktikaran Karyakarma for effective participation of people in development process, Rastriya Swasthya Bima Yojana covering 33 lakh BPL families, revision of minimum wage for all categories of workers, Provision of rice at Re. per kg, free Bicycle scheme for ST and SC students and all girl students studying in class-X.
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The state has promulgated the Odisha Right of Children to free and Compulsory Education Rules, 2010. Gross Enrolment Ratio and Net Enrolment Ratio at Primary grade have increased. Free text books and uniforms are being supplied to students.
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The formulation of an Affordable Housing Scheme, introduction of Odisha Property Rights to slum dwellers, Promotion of Public Private Partnership projects in the area of Street lighting, solid waste disposal, City bus services, introduction of placement linked skill training programmes for urban youth, introduction of Odisha Urban Street Vendor Policy, preparation of slum free city plans and urban sanitation plans are some of major initiative taken recently to promote inclusive urbanization in the State.
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Odisha has achieved the distinction of distributing land rights to maximum number of tribal families under the Forest Rights Act, 2006 and individual titles have been settled in favour of more than 3.4 lakh forest dwelling tribal families.
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State Youth Policy has been implemented to bring the youths to the mainstream in the development process, skill development, gender priority and livelihood etc. Mission Shakti, aiming at empowerment of women, has covered nearly 58 lakh women in the rural and urban Odisha with formation of more than 4.5 lakh women self help groups.
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Odisha has a glorious past, a vibrant present and a silvery future. “Our government is committed to carryon economic reforms by devising and updating policies, procedures and regulating framework so as to ensure broad based inclusive Economic growth”, Amat said.
