Odisha Channel Bureau
BHUBANESWAR: Odisha is firmly on course to become the Number 1 State in manufacturing in India, according to Debi Prasad Mishra, Minister for Industries and School & Mass Education, Odisha.
“Our Vision Document 2025 envisages that Odisha will become the manufacturing hub of South East Asia. While the Government of India’s targeted growth in manufacturing is 25%, Odisha’s bar is higher at 27%,” the Minister told a CII Session titled “Advantage Odisha” which was organised coinciding with the annual meeting of the CII Odisha State Council here on Saturday.
“We are doing everything to realise the vision. The Industries department is working overtime to ensure investments worth at least Rs 1.0 lakh crore happen before the next Make in Odisha Conclave,” Mishra said.
The Minister also said that approval period has been reduced from 160 days to 20 days. The “single window” in the Odisha Government has received 63 applications/proposals out of which 60 have been cleared within an average time period of 20 days, he told the industry members.
The State Government is working on a plan to extend the Chennai-Vishakhapatnam corridor to Balasore, he said, adding that CII will remain a close partner in realizing the State’s Vision 2025.
Sanjeev Chopra, Principal Secretary, Department of Industries, Odisha, heaped praised on CII saying it is sincerely trying to change the perception that Odisha is no pushover anymore, but a State which is among the most industry-friendly states in the country.
Chopra also stressed the need for reducing cost of doing business and said the State Government has stepped up its activities to further improve ease of doing business. The industries department has launched mobile applications – “Invest Odisha” – for tracking the application/ incentives/policies. It is also working on a plan to remove physical contact between the government and the people to improve ease of doing business, Chopra said.
T. V. Narendran, Chairman, CII Eastern Region & Managing Director, Tata Steel Ltd, congratulated the Odisha Government on the stupendous success of Make in Odisha Conclave. “It was a historic investment Summit which has not only created a huge impression among the investors’ community in India and abroad, but has also gone a long way in enhancing Brand Odisha,” Narendran said, adding that Odisha has now emerged as a State to reckon with.
“Not only is Odisha a pioneer in ease of doing business, it has also built strong infrastructure, conducive environment, and a very pro-active machinery,” Narendran said, adding that Odisha is among the first states to introduce single window clearance system.
P. K. Jena, Principal Secretary, Department of Electronics & Information Technology, Odisha, appreciated the roles play by CII in creating an industry-friendly environment in Odisha. According to him, the incentives offered by the Odisha Government are among the most attractive in India. There are proposals for offering more incentives in special cases, he said, adding that Odisha will now start promoting procurement for Odisha-based industries and will make mandatory partnership with local players for all future tendering.
Tapan Kumar Chand, the newly elected Chairman of CII Odisha State Council and Chairman & Managing Director NALCO, pledged to work shoulder to shoulder with all stakeholders to make sure the Odisha Government’s Vision 2025 becomes a “glorious reality”.
“We have three jobs at hand – making Odisha the manufacturing hub in South Asia, attracting investments worth 2.5 lakh Crore Investment by 2025 and substantially enhancing people’s purchasing power in the State,” Chand said.
Sanjay Pattnaik, Immediate Past Chairman of CII Odisha State Council & Managing Director, Tata Sponge Iron Ltd, praised the Odisha Government for its focused approach and industry-friendly policies. “Make in Odisha was a resounding success, and we at CII feel proud of being the National Partner of the momentous event,” said Patnaik.
