The policy was approved by the Cabinet at its meeting chaired by Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik at Lok Seva Bhawan in Bhubaneswar. It would create a flourishing ecosystem for biotechnology industry
Briefing reporters after the meeting, Chief Secretary Pradeep Kumar Jena said the police aims at harnessing the potential of biotechnology towards the sustainable socio-economic development and giving boost to the Biotechnology ecosystem in the state.
The Odisha Biotechnology Policy 2024 has been conceptualised with a number of key incentives, he said.
Recognising Biotechnology as a sunrise sector for the state, this policy seeks to attract and bring investors and stakeholders together and empower them to create a flourishing biotechnology ecosystem in the state, he added.
The key objectives of the Odisha Biotechnology Policy 2024 are:
- To promote higher education, research and infrastructure development in the most promising areas of Biotechnology.
- To develop and strengthen supportive and vibrant ecosystem for Innovation, Incubation, Investment, Income, and Impact to build enterprises and industries.
- To realign academic excellence, skilling and capacity building to meet industry requirements.
- To promote product/ process development, commercialization and IP monetization.
- To leverage breakthrough biotechnology innovations/ knowledge for socio-economic development of the state.
Biotechnology is a thrust sector in IPR-2022. Aligning with IPR-2022, Odisha Biotechnology Policy 2024 provides incentives taking into account the long gestation period and technology intensive activities of the sector.
Incentives provided under Odisha Biotechnology Policy 2024 include:
- The policy provides support for development of Biotech parks promoted by state agencies or private sectors.
- Biotechnology units shall be provided capital investment subsidy on actual investment in plant and machinery.
- Soft loan assistance will be provided to large & mega Biotechnology units operating in the state for setting up of production units in the key areas of Biotechnology using high end technologies.
- As Biotechnology sector demands sophisticated technologies which may need to be acquired and upgraded from time to time,, technology acquisition and upgradation subsidy will be provided to eligible biotechnology units.
- Eligible Biotechnology units will be given the benefit of employment generation Incentive which will be applicable only to employees engaged in biotechnology based technical work.
- Reimbursement for registration of Patent, GI, Trademark and Design will be applicable to the Biotechnology units operating in the state.
- Biotechnology units will be given financial assistance for obtaining quality certifications from recognised institutions during the policy period.
- Eligible Biotechnology Units/ Biotechnology Start Ups will be provided with financial assistance for showcasing their products or technologies in national or international events.
A dedicated Directorate of Biotechnology shall be created for effective implementation, monitoring and evaluation of various functions envisaged in the policy for the development of biotechnology in the state.
The government will constitute an Odisha Biotech Vision Group (OBVG) to act as a think tank and advisory body on diverse policy related issues. The OBVG will be comprised of professionals and experts from academia, research, industry, policy, administration, finance and marketing.
This policy will come into effect from the date as notified in the official Gazette of Government of Odisha. It will remain in force for a period of 5 years or until it is substituted by another policy, whichever is later.
]]>Reviewing the project during a visit to Puri, Jena said after completion of all works, the project will be handed over the temple administration and the police department will take over the security of the area by January 14.
In order to facilitate the visitors, coming from different parts of the country and outside, to witness the inauguration of the Parikram project on January 17, arrangements will be made on the roof of the buildings on both sides of the Bada Danda (Grand Road).
“The district collector has already written to different mutts and owners of the buildings including Duduwala Dharmasala, Bagedia Dharmasala, State Bank of India, Radhaballav Mutt, Pratihar Nijo office and information centre at Singhadwar (Lions Gate),” he added.
The chief secretary further said the facilities for public convenience including drinking water supply and toilets will be completed in the project area before the inauguration. The entire town will be under security blanket to prevent any untoward incident.
For the vehicles that will come to the Pilgrim Town on the day, he said the new parking place at Samanga will be used.
Jena said Prachar Rath (promotional vehicles) will move in every panchayat in the district from Saturday. The process of collecting rice and betel nuts will also start for use during the rituals on the inauguration day.
Police ADG (Law and Order), Sanjay Kumar, who accompanied Jena, said adequate security measures will be taken for the visitors as well as the VIPs and hassle-free darshan for the devotees on the inauguration day.
]]>In a press release on Sunday, the chief secretary told the people to be “ambassadors of green picnic” this season. As they would throng the picnic sites in natural environment in good number on Christmas and New Year, they should take care not to bring any harm to the area.
Jena advised the picnickers not to carry single-use plastic materials to the spots and use plates and cups made of compostable or biodegradable materials.
They should not litter the waste materials around the place and instead, put those in the designated garbage boxes. They should also clean up the spot before leaving, he requested.
Stating that the Odisha State Pollution Control Board and “Youth for Water”, a social organisation, were carrying out awareness campaign about green and clean environment, the chief secretary sought the support of all people in this regard.
“Call for a plastic-free picnic not only protects our environment but also helps sustain it for our future generations. It is our responsibility to take care of Mother Nature as a custodian,” he said.
]]>OMBADC is a Special Purpose Vehicle of Govt. of Odisha and came into being on 02 December 2014. The major objective of OMBADC is to undertake tribal welfare and area development works in the mineral-bearing areas of the state.
The Development Commissioner- cum- Additional Chief Secretary Smt Anu Garg, and other Directors attended the meeting physically and as well as through VC mode.
Shri G. Rajesh, CEO of OMBADC informed the Board members about the progress of work done in various sectors by OMBADC. The works are currently being undertaken with the support of Panchayati Raj & Drinking Water, School & Mass Education, Housing & Urban Development, Rural Development, Skill Development & Technical Education and Farmers & Animal Resources Development departments.
Additionally, eight new proposals about rural connectivity and Skill development sectors were also discussed in detail in the Board Meeting.
The Board was also appraised about some of the major achievements of OMBADC in the Housing, Drinking Water, Education, Health & Women Empowerment sectors. The completion of the Impact assessment of Adhoc CAMPA funded Housing and Drinking water projects was also informed to the Board members.
The Chief Secretary advised OMBADC to get the Sustainability Plan prepared for all OMBADC-funded projects to ensure their functioning after the closing of OMBADC operations.
After the meeting, the Chief Secretary cum Chairman OMBADC, Jena released the Annual Report of OMBADC for the FY 2022-23, Brochures developed by OMBADC-and documentary videos related to OMBADC-funded projects like Skill Development, Education etc. The revamped Website of OMBADC was also launched by the Chairman.
Among others present in the meeting were; Principal Secy Panchayati Raj & Drinking Water dept Sushil Kumar Lohani, Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (PCCF) Odisha Debidutta Biswal, senior officials of OMBADC and other officials from various departments.
]]>In the meeting held, Development Commissioner-Cum- ACS Anu Garg , DGP Sunil Kumar Bansal, Principal Secretary, Commerce and Transport Department Usha Padhee , Principal Secretary, RD & I & PR Department Sanjay Kumar Singh, Transport Commissioner-cum-Chairman, STA Amitabh Thakur, other officers of C & T Department, NHAI officials were present whereas Collectors & SPs and district level functionaries of all districts attended the meeting through OSWAS platform.
Initiating the discussion, C&T Department Principal Secretary Padhee presented details about road accident scenario in Odisha. There were 8,939 Road accidents, 4,178 fatalities and 7,898 injured occurred during the year 2023 from January to September. There is 2.84 % increase in accidents in 2023 (Jan to Sept) and 4.89 % increase in fatalities (Jan to Sept) as compared to 2022 of the same periods whereas there was 11,663 i.e 6.19% increase in road accident in 2022 as compared to 2021 and 7.5 % increasing fatalities in 2022 as compared to the year 2021.
The vision of Zero Fatality Week is to reduce further the rate of increase in road accident and fatalities. The State Government is committed to address this issue and with aim to Zero Fatality during 1st to 7th Dec 2023, the Govt. in C &T Department has given instruction to all Districts to prepare action plan for each district in response to SOP given to all RTOs.
As per information, in the Zero Fatality Week observed in last April-2023, there was 33 % decrease in accidents and 14.6 % decrease in fatalities during the same period in 2022. Boudh, Rayagada, Sonepur, Bhadrak, Malkangiri ,Nayagada and Sambalpur district are top performing districts that observed 100% reduction in fatalities during that period.
Chief Secretary advised all Collectors to achieve better than the previous time, get all government offices and employees involved and to work out activity plan. He also said to involve School students, NGOs, Civil societies, SHGs in this campaign. BDOs to conduct meeting at GPs & Panchayat Samiti level to get participation of PRI members.
SHG members those who have got scooters under ‘Mission Shakti Scooter Yojana’ and are learners to be sensitized to have less prone to accidents. Road safety Engineering plan, Behavioural changes and Enforcement should be top priority in observance of Zero Fatality week, he urged. The effort for Zero fatality should continue even after the observance.
Chief Secretary also focused that as coming December to February are picnic months, we should prepare for zero fatality and also pollution free picnic as there is possibility of pollution of environment due to use of large quantity of polyethylene bags at different picnic spots of the State.
Participating in the discussion, D.C-Cum ACS Garg said that all Stakeholders to visit Trauma care centers in nearby hospitals so that we can ensure our preparedness and save life of victims during golden hour of accident occurred. Necessary publicity and awareness drive will be carried out by the I&PR Department to sensitize the public through print, electronic media and social media to reduce road accident and fatality. It was also discussed in the meeting that accident victim, should be promptly attended to whether in private and govt facility available.
Detail enforcement schedules has been chalked out by the C& T department action against violations like drunken driving, Helmetless driving, use of mobile phones while driving, over speeding, triple riding, insurance, illegal parking, wrong side driving etc.
Awareness plan prepared on publicity of Citizen Sentinel App to report violations, Road safety awareness through driving training schools and DTIs, Broadcast road safety awareness messages through various network services, mobile vans to spread road safety measures, awareness programmes in schools and colleges during morning assembly, involvement of private stakeholders like truck, bus, dumper owner associations to raise awareness about road safety was discussed. Best performing organisations to be acknowledged and awarded.
NHAI, RD, R&B authorities has been instructed to hold monthly meeting at least once in a month for solutions to problems like removal of potholes, repair of barriers, improvement of roads, and identification of black spot prone to accident etc. All stakeholder departments have
been sensitize their roles in details.
In his address, chief secretary Pradeep Kumar Jena stressed the importance of ensuring proper and timely implementation of the Renewal Energy (RE) policy and reaffirmed the state’s energy transition goals. He also emphasised on making renewable energy an integral part of the overall energy policy towards achieving installed renewable energy capacity by 2030.
Director (Finance & CA), GRIDCO GB Swain presented an overview of the incentives and exemptions available for promoting RE projects which included streamlining of access to land, statutory clearances and connectivity. He also highlighted the success of the single-window clearance committee system for facilitating coordination and hassle-free investment.
During the deliberation, the committee members presented their suggestions in determining appropriate land leasing costs for RE projects considering the unique land distribution and geographical conditions of the state. The need for a dedicated rooftop policy to maximise the potential of commercial and residential rooftops was also addressed.
The discussions also featured EV charging infrastructure, next phase of the state’s EV policy and the future action plan for development of wind energy. The meeting prioritised the consolidation of various Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs) working on the implementation of RE projects.
The state government has constituted the PAVG to act as a think tank and key advisor on diverse policy related issues. The PAVG is a body of intellectuals, professionals, and practitioners from various fields such as academia, research, industry, commerce, administration, finance, marketing and international developmental financing.
GRIDCO, being the nodal agency for the implementation of RE policy in the state, serves as the secretariat for the PAVG.
The members of the PAVG including Development Commissioner Anu Garg; Additional Chief Secretary, Energy Department, Nikunja Bihari Dhal; Principal Secretary, Finance Department, Vishal Kumar Dev; PK Pujari, former secretary (Power) and Chairman, CERC; Prof Sukumar Mishra, IIT Delhi; Prof Anoop Singh, IIT Kanpur; Prof Chandrasekhar N Bhende, IIT Bhubaneswar; Praveer Sinha, CEO & MD, Tata Power and Rajesh Srivastava, Aditya Birla Group participated in the deliberation.
Workshop on Green Energy
A workshop on the state’s transition to green energy was also organised by GRIDCO in the city on the day. Inaugurating the workshop, the chief secretary spoke on the state’s commitment to green energy as per Renewable Energy Policy 2022.
The participants discussed green energy, industry, transport, mining and agriculture sectors at different sessions of the workshop.
GRIDCO chairman Nikunja Bihar Dhal also spoke at the wrkshop.
]]>The centre will be a result-based management and social innovation and it is mandated to facilitate knowledge management contributing to good governance by conducting location specific evidence based research and facilitate training.
Speaking on the occasion, the Chief Secretary said the infrastructure of Gopabandhu Administrative Academy has been improved as well as new innovations have been incorporated in training modules for the IAS, OAS probationers and other officers who are undergoing training at GAA. He stressed on the need for probationers and trainees to study more and more data on the geographical location, understanding wild life, ecology, environment and climate change issued of Odisha.
Two books published by the Gopabandhu Administrative Academy – the “Similipal Tiger Reserve” –Impressions of Study Visit of OAS Officers Trainees of the 2019 batch and a “Book Reviews by OAS Probationers along with “Academy News” of GAA and a “Training Manual” were released.
Director General of GAA Raj Kumar Sharma said the Academy has always given importance to quality training. He said that the officers undergoing the training are being trained to be value-based, principled, honest and efficient along with acquiring knowledge and maintaining honesty, fear-free and impartiality. He informed that 3 MoUs have been recently signed with 3 various National level Institutions to further enhance and partnership in training.
Additional Commissioner, GAA Dr. H.B. Panda, Deputy DDG and Special Secretary, GAA Dr. Pratap Kumar Mishra, Additional Director Aradhana Das, Joint Director Dr. Mamtarani Nayak, officials of CGGO and GGA were present on the occasion.
]]>The forest clearance issues of different projects such as 220/33 kV Baliguda grid sub-station along with 220 kV Kesinga-Baliguda line, 132 kV Boudh-Phulbani DC line, 132 kV Boudh-Kiakata DC line, 220 kV LILO line to 220/33 kV Daspalla Grid, LILO line to R. Udayagiri Grid from Digapahandi-Mohana line, 220 kV Keonjhar-Turumunga DC line were discussed in the meeting.
Energy secretary Nikunja Bihari Dhal opined that though these projects were started long back, involvement of forest issues has delayed the execution of the projects.
In view of the significance of these projects in ensuring quality and reliable power supply, the Chief Secretary advised OPTCL to expedite the forest clearance procedure and PCCF (Nodal) was requested to take up the matter with Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change and extend necessary co-operation to OPTCL in this regard.
]]>Presenting the financial status of the company at the 26th Board of Directors Meeting of OMBADC under the Chairmanship of Chief Secretary-cum-Chairman of OMBADC Pradeep Kumar Jena, the CEO said the projects have been proposed by 18 line departments and most of the approved projects are under implementation.
The line departments have successfully utilised an amount of Rs.7223.01 crore till date out of the total released fund of Rs.9737.58 crore. The projects pertain to sectors like Drinking Water, Education, Health, Livelihood, Environment Protection, Rural Connectivity and Water Conservation.
Under the drinking water sector, OMBADC has approved 30 Mega Pipe Water Supply projects for 4 mining districts- Keonjhar, Sundargarh, Mayurbhanj and Jajpur and Pallahada block of Angul out of which 03 projects have been partially commissioned and stared supplying water to 127 villages.
The 690-no. of single and multi-village scheme for 787 villages of Mayurbhanj and Drink from Tap (DFT) scheme for 14 ULBs have also been initiated. DFT scheme in two ULBs- Rairangpur and Sundargarh is completed and trial run is in progress. The total investment under the Drinking water sector is Rs. 8909 Cr.
The projects under the Education sector like infrastructure development in elementary, secondary schools and OAVs is under progress. 1351 no. of secondary schools have also been funded by OMBADC in three phases under the 5T initiative of Govt. of Odisha within the High School Transformation project. Till date works are completed in almost 75 % schools. The 4th phase project for 250 schools has also been approved by the Board of OMBADC in the current BoD meeting held on 21/08/2023.
OMBADC is also supporting in upgradation of Govt ITIs and Polytechnics in the mining districts and developing them as Centre of Excellenceand work is undertakenby the SD&TE dept. In the BoD meeting held today, 02 projects related to AR/VR simulation at ITI Koira and infra development in another 14 ITI s and 7 Govt. polytechnics in 08 mining districts have also been approved by the BOD of OMBADC.
Another ambitious project funded by OMBADC is construction of 11 indoor stadiums for ULBs and NACs and all works are completed for all the stadiums. Other projects funded under the education sector are related to strengthening the OUAT, RRTTSs and KVKs, infra development in GCE, Keonjhar and NC College Jajpur. The total investment in the Education sector is Rs. 3539.30 Cr.
Under the health sector, OMBADC has invested a total of Rs. 2942.91 Cr for infra development in the district, block and sub block level Health facilities, construction of 150 bedded MCH wing in the medical college at Jajpur, new infra projects for ICDS, construction of composite rehabilitation centers in OMBADC supported mining districts etc.
In the Water conservation, an investment of more than Rs.700 cr has been incurred through which several types of SMC activities have been initiated by the DFOs. Further, 2 Cr 6 months old saplings and 3 Cr 18 months old saplings are being grown which is being utilized for social forestry and afforestation purposes.
The Rural connectivity sector has a similar investment of approximately Rs. 700 Cr. which aims to connect unconnected habitations through construction of 249 all-weather roads and 25 bridges. Out of the approved 209 roads, 151 has been completed and out of 24 bridges, 11 are completed.
More than Rs. 500 Cr has been allocated for the Livelihood projects where activities like Horticulture, Animal husbandry, Fisheries, Sericulture and Handloom etc. has been approved by the Board. 948 SHGs have benefitted till date through fisheries interventions, 1194 broiler units and 643 Goat units have been established.
An amount of Rs. 19.75 Cr has been sanctioned for the Environment Protection and Pollution Control sector where 08 no. of CAAQMS have been installed in excessively polluted areas of the mining districts. Commissioning of 01 CAAQMS is pending.
In the meeting, Additional Chief Secretary of Revenue, Forest, Environment and Climate Change Department Satyabrata Sahu was inducted as the new director in the Board of OMBADC.
Other directors who attended the meeting were Development Commissioner-cum-Additional Chief Secretary Anu Garg, Additional Chief Secretary FE & CC Govt. of Odisha (through virtual mode), PCCF & HOFF Odisha, Govt. of Odisha, and all independent directors.