Addressing the state Assembly on the opening day of the budget session, the Governor congratulated the government for organising the first ever World Odia Language Conference in Bhubaneswar.

He also congratulated the state government on the inauguration of the newly-built campus of Odia University at Satyabadi in Puri district and said it will play a significant role in further enriching the language.

Stating that ten towns and cities in Odisha have already been made slum-free, the Governor said all urban areas in the state will become slum-free by December 2024.

Highlighting achievements made in the farm sector, Das said foodgrain production in the state has touched 141.36 lakh metric tonne (MT) during 2022-23, which is almost two-and-a-half times the production of 55.35 MT during 2000-01.

Similarly, the production of rice has touched an all-time high of 2,936 kg per hectare exhibiting nearly threefold increase over 1,041 kg per hectare during the same period, he said.

Odisha has been one of the pioneer states to launch ‘Odisha Millet Mission’ for promotion of these climate resilient and nutrition rich crops which play a decisive role in our nutrition security.

The state government’s farmers’ welfare programme, ‘KALIA’ (Krushak Assistance for Livelihood and Income Augmentation) introduced in 2018, is intendded to acelerate agricultural prosperity and reduce poverty in the state through support to small and marginal farmers”.

Assistance has so far been provided to around 43.88 lakh small and marginal and 18.93 lakh landless agricultural households in the state, he said.

For enhancing milk production in the state government has introduced advanced bovine breeding technology, artificial insemination with an objective of production of more than 90 percent female calves, he said in his address.

Similarly, the government is promoting goat meat production by supporting WSHGs for commercial goatery units and individual poor farmers in the mining affected districts with small units, Das added.

The governor presented Police Medal for Gallantry to 3 personnel of SOG and one of DVF for successful operation against Maoists at a glittering state-level award presentation ceremony in Bhubaneswar. Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik was also present.

President’s Police Medal for Distinguished Service was presented to two personnel, Police Medal for Meritorious Service to 11, Governor’s Medal for 2023 to 20, Fire Service Medal for Gallantry to one, Fire Service Medal for Meritorious Service to two, Home Guards and Civil Defence medal to 3, Governor’s Medal for 2023 to two, and Correctional Service Medal for Meritorious Service to 5 personnel at the function.

Following are the details of the awards and the recipients:

The Governor, who made a field visit to Angul and Dhenkanal districts between December 5 and 7, has shared his personal experience in the letter to the CM, sources said on Tuesday.

During his visit to the two districts, Das had interacted with several people. He has drawn the attention of the Chief Minister to the problems highlighted by the people during the visit. The Governor has sought appropriate steps by the state government to resolve the problems being faced by the people.

In Dhenkanal, Das had visited ‘bruddhashram’ (old age home) with 25 inmates at Joranda being run by Maharshi Dayanand Seva Mission. The Mission wants the land to be in its name to provide basic facilities to the inmates.

Similarly, during his visit to Turang panchayat in Banarpal block of Angul district, the ASHA workers urged the government to construct a ‘Mamata Gruha’ for health examination of health check-up and counselling of pregnant women.

This apart, air and water pollution caused by mining operations of Mahanadi Coalfield Limited (MCL) is having an adverse impact on the health of the local residents. Ground water level in the area has also been getting depleted.

Locals also pointed out that no meeting of the Rehabilitation and Periphery Development Advisory Committee (RPDAC) has been held in the last two years. As a result, grievances of the people in the area are not being redressed.

People of the area have also drawn the attention of the government to the huge loss caused to the farm sector due to elephant menace. They claimed that the Forest department has not been taking any step to tackle jumbo menace.

Official sources said that the Governor called on the President at Rashtrapati Bhavan during his first visit to the national capital after taking charge.

During his visit to New Delhi, Das also paid a courtesy visit to the Prime Minister. Both held discussion on several issues.

It may be noted that while Das happens to be a former Jharkhand Chief Minister, President Droupadi Murmu was also Governor of that state.

Das was sworn in as the 26th Governor of Odisha at Raj Bhawan in Bhubaneswar on October 31.

Folk artists performed at the airport and along the road which she took from the airport to Raj Bhavan.

Governor Ganeshi Lal and Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik received Murmu at the airport as she reached on a three-day visit to her home state.

The president will travel to Cuttack on Wednesday, during which she will offer prayers at the Chandi Temple and visit the residence of Utkal Gourab Madhusudan Das and pay floral tribute to his statue.

She will also visit the birthplace of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose and Netaji Museum.

Murmu is scheduled to be present at the valedictory function of the 75th-year celebrations of Orissa High Court in Cuttack and address the annual function of SCB Medical College and Hospital on Wednesday. She will also grace the convocation of National Law University, Odisha, on the same day.

On Thursday, before returning to Delhi, the president will interact with the members of particularly vulnerable tribal groups at the Raj Bhavan.

She will also launch Prajapita Brahma Kumaris Ishwariya Vishwa Vidyalaya theme for 2023 — ‘The Year of Positive Change’, and lay the foundation stone for its lighthouse complex at Dasabatia in Bhubaneswar.

Bhubaneswar DCP Pratik Singh said elaborate security arrangements have been made in the twin cities for the visit.

This is Murmu’s third visit to Odisha since assuming the country’s highest office on July 25, 2022.

Governor Prof Ganeshi Lal launched the highly advanced e-CHAYAN portal of the OPSC at a function organised on the occasion in Bhubaneswar. The software has several advanced features like artificial intelligence (AI) enabled photo verification to eliminate impersonation, digital mark extraction from certificates, API-based certificate verification and customised application forms.

The Governor felicitated 10 officers and staff of the Commission for their meritorious services on the occasion.

Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, who inaugurated the function, released a souvenir, OPSC@75. A special cover was also released by the Department of Posts to mark the occasion.

Speaking at the function, Chief Secretary Pradeep Kumar Jena emphasised on leverage of technology in recruitment and review of cadre rules to make it more compliant with the changing processes of recruitment.

A panel discussion on “Public Service Commission: Gateway to Future Leadership and Challenges in 21st Century” was also organised. Vivekananda Pattnayak, former Chairman, OPSC; Asit Tripathy, Principal Advisor to Chief Minister and Chairman of WODC and Surya Prasad Mishra, former Advocate General, Odisha participated as panelists while Brigadier Laxmi Charan Patnaik, former Chairman, OPSC acted as moderator.

OPSC Chairman Satyajit Mohanty, sceretary Pramod Kumar Mishra and members Sanat Kumar Mohanty, Sarita Supkar and Shyambhakta Mishra also spoke.