Page 6 - Naveen Patnaik

ITC sets up consumer goods manufacturing unit in Odisha, CM inaugurates

Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Monday inaugurated ITC's integrated consumer goods manufacturing and logistics facility at Khurda. Congratulating ITC CMD Sanjeev Puri, Patnaik urged him to expand the company's footprint in the state. He reiterated the state government's commitment to making Odisha the next industrial hub in the country. The Industrial Policy Resolution (IPR) 2022 aims to transform Odisha into a modern and advanced industrial state by offering the investors outstanding opportunities for sustainable business growth and fostering holistic socio-economic development of the people, he said. The food processing sector is one of the priority sectors in IPR 2022 and this facility by ITC marks a significant milestone for Odisha, he said. The facility is built on an area of 35 acre. It is dedicated to seven production lines, including Aashirvaad atta, Yippee! noodles, Sunfeast biscuits and Bingo! chips. The inauguration ceremony was attended by Jatni MLA Suresh Kum

Cabinet reshuffle: 3 new ministers to take oath in Odisha on Monday

New ministers will be inducted into the Odisha cabinet on Monday, with Governor Ganeshi Lal scheduled to administer the oath to them at a ceremony here at 10 am, officials said. Bhanjanagar MLA Bikram Keshari Arukha, who resigned as the speaker of the assembly last week, and Rourkela MLA Sarada Prasad Nayak and Bangiriposi legislator Sudam Marandi will be inducted into the cabinet. The governor, who was on a private visit to his home state of Haryana, returned to Bhubaneswar on Sunday, a day ahead of the scheduled event. The ceremony will be held at the convention centre of the Lok Seva Bhawan in Bhubaneswar around 10 am, according to the invitation sent to the press, including PTI, by the Chief Secretary's Office. Last week, School and Mass Education Minister Samir Ranjan Dash and Labour Minister Srikant Sahu resigned. No appointment was also made in place of Health Minister Naba Kishore Das, who was assassinated in January. Odisha's cabinet can have 22 ministers, including the C

Odisha CM may reshuffle his cabinet on Monday, to fill three vacancies

Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik is likely to reshuffle his cabinet on Monday, official sources said. There are three vacancies in the state cabinet, and the new ministers are likely to be inducted at a simple ceremony around 9.30 am on Monday at the Lok Seva Bhawan, they said. This will be Patnaik's second cabinet reshuffle in his fifth term as the chief minister of the state. Governor Ganeshi Lal, who will administer the oath to the new ministers, is at present on a visit to his home state, Haryana, and is scheduled to return on Monday. But, he has been requested to return on Sunday, sources said. Last week, School and Mass Education Minister Samir Ranjan Dash and Labour Minister Srikant Sahu resigned. No appointment was made in place of Health Minister Naba Kishore Das, who was assassinated in January. Along with the two ministers, Speaker Bikram Keshari Arukha also resigned last week. The Parliamentary Affairs Department was preparing in full swing for the swearing-in cer

Odisha CM Naveen Patnaik owns property worth Rs 65.40 crore, shows CMO

Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik has property worth Rs 65.40 crore and no liability as of December 2022 while 14 of his ministers are crorepatis. The CMO website, which was updated on Friday, showed that the valuation of the chief minister's property rose by Rs 43 lakh from Rs 64.97 crore in 2020-21. All ministers in Odisha submit details of their assets on an official portal. According to the website, Patnaik's movable property increased in 2021-2022 while immovable assets remained the same. Patnaik owned movable property worth Rs 12.52 crore, which included bank accounts in New Delhi, Bhubaneswar, Hinjilicut, and Bargarh, along with jewellery and a four-wheeler. His immovable assets include a two-thirds share in Naveen Nivas', his residence near Bhubaneswar airport worth Rs 9,52,46,190 (approximately), and a 50 per cent share in the property at 3, Dr APJ Abdul Kalam Road, New Delhi worth Rs 43,36,18,000 (approximately). Patnaik has fixed deposits worth Rs 1 crore in HDFC, R

Run by half-engine govt, Odisha suffers from governance deficit: Pradhan

Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan on Tuesday alleged that Odisha suffers from a "governance deficit" which has "led to massive malnutrition" among tribals, and the state government is run by a "half-engine". His comment came three days after BJD president and Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, in a veiled attack on the BJP, said it was good governance and not a 'double engine' government that could help a party win an election. Notably, the BJP used its oft-repeated slogan of 'double engine' government (BJP government at the state and the Centre) in Karnataka where the party suffered a heavy loss at the hands of the Congress last week. In a scathing attack on the chief minister, Pradhan said, "Odisha suffers from governance deficit and only half engine' exists in the state. Therefore, Odisha is hit by misrule and bad governance. The state's health survey report speaks volumes." The Union education minister, however, did not name the BJD supremo. He expressed concern over the "rising"

Odisha CM Patnaik flags off maiden flight from Bhubaneswar to Dubai

Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Monday flagged off the maiden flight from Bhubaneswar to Dubai at the Biju Patnaik International Airport here. A total of 174 travellers aboard the first direct flight from Dubai to Bhubaneswar, which landed at 4 pm, were welcomed by state ministers Aswini Kumar Patra and Tukuni Sahu. A total of 170 passengers boarded the Dubai-bound flight from Bhubaneswar. They were presented with 'Uttariya' (traditional stole), sweets and flowers, before the flight took off at 6 pm. Speaking on the occasion, Patnaik said aligning Odisha with a global tourism destination such as Dubai will bring in industrial development by facilitating investments, promote tourism and increase connection with the Odia diaspora. He said Dubai being a major tourism junction in West Asia, provides a gateway to European and American markets. Besides people who had booked their tickets after Utkal Dibasa on April 1, various sportspersons and delegates from Mission Shakti, Worl

Naveen steers clear of Oppn unity; Cong says it's to keep agencies out

Whenever there is a move to form a Third Front or a common political platform of non-BJP or non-Congress parties, leaders start searching for Odisha CM Naveen Patnaik

Not single or double engine, governance is important: Odisha CM Patnaik

Stating that history is the witness to such behaviour of the opposition, the Chief Minister said people of Odisha have never tolerated such disrespect towards women

CM Patnaik's Delhi visit sparks speculations in Odisha political circle

A day after meeting his Bihar counterpart Nitish Kumar, Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik Wednesday left for a four-day trip to the national capital, leading to speculations being bandied about in the state's political circles. Though the chief minister's office said that Patnaik has a number of official engagements to meet union ministers during his stay in Delhi, sources in the ruling BJD claimed that he may meet political leaders from other parties too. He is scheduled to return to Odisha on May 13, Patnaik's sudden visit to Delhi sparked speculations that the BJD president may meet some opposition leaders who are already in touch with Nitish Kumar and Mamata Banerjee on forming an opposition grouping ahead of the 2024 elections. The Odisha chief minister's move is being apparently seen as aimed at sending a message to the BJP which has of late become an aggressive foe in Odisha ahead of the 2024 general elections. Though the BJD officially has claimed it was maintaining equ

Opposition unity bid: Nitish meets Naveen, but 'no talks on alliance'

It is unlikely Patnaik would attend any meeting that might require sharing the stage with the Congress

Bihar CM Nitish Kumar to travel to Odisha, meet Naveen Patnaik on Tuesday

Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik will meet his Bihar counterpart Nitish Kumar on May 9, amid talks of regional parties coming together ahead of the 2024 general elections, officials said. Kumar will meet Patnaik at Naveen Niwas' here around 12 pm, they said. The Bihar CM and JD(U) leader had recently announced that he would travel across the country to unite opposition parties ahead of the Lok Sabha polls next year. He has already met Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, West Bengal Chief Minister and TMC chief Mamata Banerjee, Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav, and Left leaders Sitaram Yechury and D Raja. Patnaik, the BJD supremo, had also met Banerjee in March. In December last year, Patnaik had invited both Banerjee and Kumar to witness the hockey world cup in Odisha.

2024 LS polls: CM Nitish likely to meet Naveen Patnaik for Opposition unity

After touring Delhi, Kolkata and Lucknow in a bid to unite Opposition ahead of the Lok Sabha polls, Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar is all set to visit Bhubaneswar to rope in his Odisha counterpart

Odisha CM opens air ticketing to Singapore and Bangok from Bhubaneswar

Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Wednesday opened air ticketing to Singapore and Bangkok from Bhubaneswar facilitating the people of the state to travel to these south-east Asian cities at a fair price. Indigo airlines will commence direct international flights to Singapore as well as Bangkok from Bhubaneswar from June 3. Earlier, direct flight ticketing was launched by the chief minister to Dubai from Bhubaneswar which will start from May 15. Patnaik said that the initiative will promote job opportunities for the youth of Odisha, open up tourism potential of the state and also provide a boost to IT and ITES sectors in the state. "It is a momentous occasion for all of us today as Indigo opens ticketing to Singapore & Bangkok from Bhubaneswar. Recently, I had also inaugurated the ticketing to Dubai. With this, Odisha is now connected to the top cosmopolitan Asian cities-- opening a whole new world of opportunities for our people," the chief minister said. He further said ...

Be prepared as IMD predicts cyclones over Bay of Bengal, says Odisha CM

Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Tuesday chaired a high-level meeting to review the state's preparedness to deal with a cyclone, and asked officials to be prepared for any eventuality. The meeting comes after the India Meteorological Department (IMD) said in its forecast that a cyclonic circulation is likely to develop over southeast Bay of Bengal around May 6, and under its influence, a low-pressure area may form over the same region during the subsequent 48 hours. Recalling cyclone Fani, which hit the Odisha coast on May 2, 2019, Patnaik said determination of the path of cyclones during summer is difficult. He advised officials to shift people who live in low-lying areas to cyclone shelters, if necessary, and formulate plans for relief and restoration works in the aftermath of a cyclone. Patnaik asked Chief Secretary PK Jena to review the situation regularly, and Special Relief Commissioner Satyabrata Sahu to work in coordination with all departments and districts. An ...

Odisha border districts on alert after Naxals kill 11 in Chhattisgarh

The Odisha government on Wednesday sounded a high alert in three districts bordering Chhattisgarh following the killing of 10 police personnel and a civilian driver in the neighbouring state, a senior police official said here. Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik condemned the attack which was carried out by the red rebels in Dantewada district. Strongly condemn the cowardly IED blast carried out by Naxals killing so many policemen in #Dantewada, Chhattisgarh. Salute to the bravehearts who sacrificed their lives. Condolences to the bereaved families of the bravehearts & prayers for the speedy recovery of the injured, Patnaik said in a Twitter post. Security personnel were asked to remain cautious and a high alert has been issued for Malkangiri, Koraput and Nabarangpur districts that share border with Chhattisgarh. ADG (Intelligence) Sanjeeb Panda said that instructions have been issued to intensify patrolling, blocking and checking in these three districts. The police also ...

Patnaik inaugurates several projects as Odisha celebrates 'Akshay Tritiya'

Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik inaugurated a slew of government projects on Sunday in view of 'Akshay Tritiya', which marks the commencement of agricultural activities in Odisha before the onset of monsoon. Patnaik participated in 'Akhi Muthi Anukula', the ceremonial act of sowing seeds in paddy fields and ploughing, at the farm of the Odisha University of Agriculture and Technology (OUAT) in Bhubaneswar. 'Akshay Tritiya', which is observed as state-level Farmers' Day, also marks the beginning of the chariot construction works at Puri's Jagannath Temple for the annual Ratha Jatra. Patnaik greeted the people, especially farmers, on the ocassion, wishing them a good harvest. He inaugurated a creche at the state secretariat for the children of government employees. It will be able to accommodate 20 children. He also inaugurated a Millet Shakti cafe. The state has so far opened 142 such outlets across Odisha under the Millet Mission. He launched the Agricultural Review Centre, which w

'Increased cooperation between govt, states necessary for new age skilling'

Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Thursday called for enhanced cooperation between the Centre and states for new age skilling in the country. Inaugurating the Odisha Skill Conclave 2023, the chief minister said skill development is not just a moral obligation, but an indispensable economic pre-requisite. Skilling youth leads to human transformation, he said. To achieve the goal, Odisha needs a collective, collaborative effort between the central ministries, state government departments, industry, academia and civil society to develop policies and programmes to promote skill development, and ensure that those skills are recognised and valued in the job market, Patnaik said. The country is going through a significant transformation, rapid technological advancements and changing job markets have made it imperative for us to invest in our human capital and equip our younger generation with the skill they need to succeed in the 21st century, the chief minister said. Expressing ho

Maintain 'raj dharma': Pradhan urges Patnaik as police detain BJP leaders

With a high-level BJP delegation being prevented from entering violence-hit Sambalpur, senior party leader and Union minister Dharmendra Pradhan Tuesday urged Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik to maintain raj dharma and act in a neutral manner. Pradhan's statement came hours after the Odisha Police detained members of the delegation comprising, among others, Union Minister of State for Jal Shakti and Tribal Affairs Bisheswar Tudu, Sundergarh MP Jual Oram and BJP state president Manmohan Samal. They were intercepted at Sripura Chhak on Jharsuguda-Sambalpur road and denied permission to move further. Later, they were taken to nearby Thelkoli police station and reportedly detained for seven hours till 7 pm. Though Tudu left the police station after some time, the other members remained there and were released on the condition that they would not visit Sambalpur, as curfew is in place in the city, officials said. "The BJP delegation was denied permission to enter the city because th

Odisha CM visits Nippon plant in Japan, discuses green tech for projects

Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, who is on a tour to Japan, visited the Kimitsu Steel Works of Nippon Steel Corporation on Thursday and discussed the use of green technology for the company's proposed facilities in the state. The plant in the east Asian country was established on land reclaimed from the sea and used environmentally sustainable green technologies, Patnaik was informed by the company, according to an official release issued by the Chief Minister's Office. Kimitsu facility produces diversified specialised steel products for various industries like automobiles. Patnaik appreciates the plant and discussed the use of similar green technologies for the plants coming up in Kendrapara and Jagatsinghpur districts (of Odisha), the CMO release said. The proposed plants will also focus on specialised steel products which will enable downstream industries in Odisha, it said. The state delegation's visit to the Kimitsu Steel Works provided an opportunity for officials to le

Odisha gets investment of Rs 26,000 cr as Patnaik meets Japanese capitalist

Odisha received investment intent of Rs 26,000 crore in various sectors as Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik met Japanese industrialists in Tokyo on Wednesday. The investment intent was received in sectors such as logistics, steel, Green Hydrogen and IT/ITeS. An MoU for collaboration in the skill development sector was also signed between Nihon-Utkal and IIIT, Bhubaneswar, an official release issued by the chief minister's office said. The business meet was attended by representatives of more than 200 leading companies in Japan and the Indo-Pacific region. They were offered an opportunity to explore various avenues of collaboration with the state government and local companies in Odisha, it said. Patnaik also held a meeting with the senior leadership of Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), who iterated their commitment to supporting infrastructure development in Odisha. Addressing the business meet, Patnaik said, "Odisha is one of the fastest growing states in India. We are