Bhubaneswar, June 12: Land acquisition being a major impediment to industrialisation, the Naveen Patnaik government in Odisha has decided to make land losers and gram panchayats shareholders in industries that acquire land from them.

Odisha governor S.C. Jamir articulated this policy decision in his address to the inaugural session of the 15th Odisha Assembly here today. The address reflected the poll promises made by the BJD.

Though 102 MoUs having been signed by the state government with different industries, most of the projects, including the Posco steel project, are in a limbo because of land related problems. Global steel giant Arcelor-Mittal withdrew its project from the state following resistance to land acquisition for its proposed steel plant. The government hopes that such an offer to land losers could help gain their confidence and acquisition of land would be smooth.

Although there has been speculations in the political circles that the BJD would not adopt a confrontationist approach towards the BJP led government at the Centre, the BJD government today made it clear that it would continue to raise the issue of the special category state status.

“The fight for special category state status for Odisha would be intensified with emphasis on Odia “Swabiman” (self pride) till the demand was accepted by the Central government,” said Jamir, adding an Odia University would be set up to facilitate all round development of the mother tongue

With a view to easing the unemployment situation, the state government has promised to set up a Chief Minister’s Employment Generation Scheme.

“Efforts will be made to upgrade skills of at least 150 youth from every gram panchayat, who would then be linked to loan and subsidy, the governor said, adding that the recruitment in the government in all fields would be scaled up and local talent will be encouraged. Besides, an “Odisha Youth Innovation Fund” shall be created to incubate new business ideas coming from young entrepreneurs.

The governor’s speech also reflected the seriousness of the government in infrastructure development. The new government will lay special emphasis on the backward KBK (undivided Kalahandi, Balangir and Koraput) districts. Apart from promising widening of roads in the area, it also proposes to have an expressway connecting the northern parts of the state with southern areas. Another agriculture university will be set up in the region and the government would set up special educational hubs in urban areas for tribal children to provide better education.

The government has promised to introduce Biju Bal Vikas Yojana to rehabilitate all the orphan and destitute children in the state, and a programme called “Nirmaya,” a health insurance scheme for autistics children and those requiring special attention.

The government has also promised to work for the welfare of the daily wage labourers, protection of women and slum dwellers, and promotion of agriculture.