Naveen announces new package for Orissa farmers

Bhubaneswar, Aug 15 (UNI) Complimenting the farmers for showing great interest in cash crops, horticulture and fishery, Orissa Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik today announced a new package for the farmers on the eve of the 61st Independence Day.

Unfurling the tricolour and taking salute at a state-level parade on the Mahamta Gandhi Marg here, Mr Patnaik said the state government had introduced the contract farming in many areas keeping the interest of the farmers in the state.

He said the government had initiated steps for providing irrigation facility to 35 per cent agricultural land in all blocks in the state and announced to provide safe drinking water through pipeline in 1000 villages under the ''Jaladhara'' scheme.

Mr Patnaik claimed that with the major industrial houses of national and international repute showing keen interest to invest in steel, power, aluminum and information technology sectors, Orissa is poised to be a big economy.

In IT sector, the chief minister said major companies like TCS, Satyam, Infosys, Wipro, IBM and Genpact have opened their development centre and planning to start BPO services in Bhubaneswar which is gaining importance in the field of information technology.

The software export, Mr Patnaik said is expected to touch Rs 700 crores during the year.

Mr Patnaik said the state's economy had witnessed a significant progress and the centre as well as the RBI have acclaimed the fiscal management which led to prepare a surplus budget this year and helped the government to implement developmental programme with the launch of Biju KBK Yojana, Gopabandhu Gramin Yojana and Biju Jyoti Yojana from its own resources.

UNI