Vision 2036 on Vikashit Odisha

By Barada Das

Cuttack,Jun 22: The Thinkers’ Club in it’s 5th year, 123rd Web based meeting discussed on the Vision 2036 Document of the State Government on  Good Governance in Vikashit Odisha by the year 2036.

Participating in the meeting former Chief Secretary of Odisha, Retired IAS Sahadeb Sahoo said, The Vision 2036 document is a road map to good governance and Vikashit Odisha by the year 2036. His opinion was the Government need to come to the people.

 Now there are greater scopes through technology especially the Broad Band Internet service. In Odisha more than 30 % of the population is not internet savvy. The service is not available throughout the state. In some cases the people have to walk a distance to use the service. In some peculiar cases, it becomes necessary to climb a tall tree to use the facility.

Secondly he felt that, uninterrupted electric power supply is also a prerequisite to provide the service. Primarily, the government needs to focus on these two services without which the benefits of good governance will not reach people. He said, AI should be used intensively to benefit the people. 30% of the population is illiterate.

They are not capable of using smart phones and computers. It is necessary to take care of the needs of the illiterate. He suggested through AI, Net use can be verbal. He commented that, the Government and its officials should be approachable to the people.

The citizen at bottom should have a link to connect with the highest boss. In order to have a knowledgeable society, the Government should put thrust on developing software in Odiya.   The Government should spend less on publicity, road shows and VIP melas and focus more on developmental activities. There is much scope in improving governance and government activities in education, health care facilities and self employment programs.

Rabi Senapati, a former IAS in his turn said, there are many activities to be carried out. The Government should have priority on self employment and there should be allocation in the budget for this in priority basis.

 In Odisha, people do not get clean drinking water. The spread of cholera in 9 districts of the state currently is the outcome of this lack of service. There are no all weather roads connecting to different places in the state.

Pregnant women, aged sick people are carried distance over charpais for admission to hospitals. Ambulance cannot reach to some rural pockets. The government officials should not remain isolated and they should go nearer to the people. Development cannot be achieved without these basic requirements. The vision documents need to prioritize on these issues.

Mr Sanjay Panda from Boston said, in addition to the points raised by the former speakers, there is necessity to train the people in traditional arts and handicrafts. He said, if such skills are properly harnessed, there is greater scope for generating income and elevating unemployment. He emphasized on handlooms and handicrafts. He said, there is demand for these products in the global market. According to him, in no point of time, corruption will be zero. It is a form of mindset or mental disease. There should be proper arrangement in the system to tackle corruption. Digital India has managed corruption to a greater extent in the grass root level. It is necessary to handle corruption with iron hands and exemplary punishments need to be prescribed for that. there can’t be any compromise on corruption, in order to achieve the goal for 2036.

Dr Nanda Nandan Das, the former works secretary in his turn sited the developments achieved in Singapur and Dubai. He suggested, good honest people to be screened for Government jobs. Citizens to be taught in developing moral values in their life. Steps need to be taken in Land Reforms. There should be control over loans availed by the Government. There is a necessity of transparency in paying to the contractors. Quota for unprivileged people needs revamping. It should not be provided in hereditary basis.

Mr Pratap Rout from Chhatis Garh wished transparency in the activities of the Government. He suggested, there should be compulsory military training for all citizens to bring discipline in their conduct.

Mr Vivek Pattanaik, former IAS joned little late and he insisted that, what is state of Vikash to be defined properly. Vikash is a very wider term and in reality a vague term. The Government needs to focus on certain key areas and make an achievable target.

As usual, there was a question answer session at the end of the webinar.

This meeting was moderated by Sri Barada Prasanna Das, the President of the Thinkers’ Club. Mr Das was of the opinion that, there is urgent necessity of reforms in the Peoples Representation Act and by that entry of decent people to governance will be made.

Prof Umasankar Misra, Pratap Rout, Subash Sahoo, Kamdeb Routray and Prof Aashutosh Mishra Joined in discussion. The meeting ended with thanks to the chief speaker, President and the participants.