Odisha has taken giant strides in the field of industrialization under the leadership of Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, whose success in attracting huge investments to the state has been lauded by economists as well as industry experts. Along with big industries, medium and small-scale enterprises have also flourished under his watch. The Chief Minister remains keen on making Odisha one of the most industrialized states of the country.
Towards this end the government has taken a lot of initiatives, including the organization of Make in Odisha conclaves which provide businesses from across the country an opportunity to put forth their proposals for setting up industries in the state. These conclaves have helped the state draw huge investments while bringing Odisha’s industrial potential into international focus.
But even before the idea of Make in Odisha conclave was conceived, the state had drawn some big-ticket proposals on the industrial front. Even though some of these could not be converted into projects on the ground because of a variety of reasons, they proved that the state could compete with the best in terms of resources and was capable of creating conditions that could lure top-bracket corporates.
Odisha, for example, was the first choice of South Korean steel giant POSCO when it decided to set up a steel plant in India. The state not only had the best iron ore mines but could also offer sites for the plant close to the sea with port facilities. ArcelorMittal, the world’s top-ranking steel producer, too, had sought to try its luck in Odisha lured by its mineral wealth and the excellent law and order situation in the state. Peaceful conditions in the state, in fact, has been one of the most important factors behind the growth of industries in Odisha. The credit for this goes directly to the Chief Minister as he also wields the home portfolio.
Another important factor driving the state’s industrial growth is the excellent rehabilitation and resettlement (R&R) policy of the government, which addresses the concerns of the displaced in the best possible manner. The compensation package is more than satisfactory with Patnaik keen to ensure that industrialization benefits all.
The government has also been trying its best to ensure that there is least possible displacement due to new projects and minimum damage is caused to the environment. Special attention is being paid to the welfare of tribals and other underprivileged people displaced by industrial projects.
At the same time the five-time Chief Minister, who has worked hard to create an industry-friendly atmosphere in the state, has been urging young entrepreneurs to take advantage of his government’s forward-looking pro-industry policies and infrastructure facilities. Many of them have responded to his call and benefitted immensely from the generosity of his government. The situation has thus become a win-win for all in Odisha.
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