You have been advisor to the State Planning Board for nearly six months now. What has been your experience so far?

Though I was chosen six months ago, I started working only in January. My experience in Odisha has so far been good. There is a planning process here. But what we need to have is focus on long-term plans. Our basic objective is to make a balance of the interests of various stakeholders, striking a balance between agriculture and industrial sectors. A balance is needed for the development of all groups and for this purpose, a perfect model should be adopted.

As a bureaucrat, you had worked with the Gujarat government. Many people are of the opinion that Odisha should adopt the Gujarat model. What is your opinion on this?

We cannot adopt any model blindly. One should pick up a model, make necessary changes keeping the local psyche and livelihood in mind. One has to understand that needs and aspirations differ from area to area and people to people. We should promote the "Odisha model of development".

What is the Odisha model of development?

Everyone is talking of the Gujarat and Kerala model of development. Now, the time has come to talk about the Odisha's model. We have been able to banish hunger from our state. I still remember when I was heading an important department in 1985, the then chief minister of Gujarat, Amarsinh Chaudhary, had told me that I had been picked up for the department so that I would initiate steps to ensure there would be no hunger in Gujarat. It had moved me a lot. Every one was talking of the KBK areas and malnutrition in the region. That is a matter of the past. Odisha has moved ahead. The Aahaar scheme is a move in that direction so that no one remains hungry.

You are advisor to the State Planning Board. However, the board has not met so far...

What I understand is the government will shortly reconstitute the board. The minister has also given a reply in the Assembly. But that does not necessarily mean that no planning process has been started yet. All work is going on with the support of various departments and decisions are being taken.

Since you took charge, what are the things you have done?

I have given a number of suggestions in the field of agriculture and food production. On my advice, a long-term food supply chain has been executed. The government set up a Rs 100-crore corpus fund to supply seeds to farmers. Stress has been laid on supplying fertilisers to the farmers. We are also working to prepare a calendar of events.

What would be the focus of the State Planning Board?

Our focus should be on skill development. A synergy is to be developed in this regard. Many departments are running various schemes. Now all of them have to sit together and bring all the schemes under one platform so that there is a uniformity and no lopsided development. Private industrial houses should come forward in this regard.

You are advisor to the State Planning Board, but the Narendra Modi government at the Centre has dismantled the Planning Commission. What are your views on this?

It's a move in the right direction. With time, the concept of Planning Commission has become redundant. The job of allocating funds should be given to the government and not the commission. Had this practice continued, it would have created a problem in the federal structure of the government. Their job should have been mainly on planning issue. But during the last few years, we have noticed a paradigm change in their approach.

Now, the Niti Ayog has come up. They are talking of broader issues such as how to solve the energy crisis.

You are talking of overall development of the state. But regional imbalances still exist.

This is a broader issue. There are regional imbalances everywhere and not just confined to Odisha. Lopsided development has taken place, but regional imbalances need to be addressed and local aspirations and emotions have to be respected. Steps are being taken by the government to address the issues.

Odisha has witnessed large-scale unemployment over the years. What are your suggestions to overcome the problem?

We are aware of it. Besides unemployment, there is another problem that has plagued the state. A large chunk of youths are unemployed. Industrial houses do not find them suitable for their needs and demands. We should go for skill upgrade of our youths and work force. Suppose, one is skilled in welding but now, we don't find him suitable enough to get an employment in the industries. If we take modern technology into account, the youth who was trained in welding in the old technology finds himself obsolete. He should be taught modern skills. Our responsibility is to train our youths with modern technology at regular intervals. We need to upgrade their skill. Again, for instance, Odisha is known for its plumbers outside the state. Whichever city you go, you will find a plumber from Odisha. But with highrises and apartments coming up, technology regarding plumbing is also changing rapidly. We need to set up a number of plumbing institutes and train our youths accordingly.

The Union government has launched the Make In India campaign. How will Odisha benefit from it?

The Make in India campaign lays stress on development of the manufacturing sector in India. It's a big concept and large areas are coming under it. Each state should take part in it. In fact, the Odisha government has already welcomed the concept and started working in this direction.

We have to take steps to remove all the bottlenecks that come in the path of a state's progress. We have to bring a conducive industrial climate. Odisha should work under the plan to promote its food sector and develop consumer goods. We should develop a "Take from Odisha" concept under which we should look forward to promote our traditional artisans, handicrafts and textiles. We can work hard to promote our Sambalpuri saris. Accordingly, we work on cluster development of various products and artisans.

Odisha has witnessed a lopsided development. Nearly 20 districts have come under the grasp of Maoist activities. What should be done to overcome the problem?

A sustained and continuous effort is needed to overcome this menace. Maoists have been able to expand their network in tribal areas where the administration is virtually absent and development has not taken place as compared to other areas. The situation cannot be changed overnight. Take the case of Gujarat. There are a number of tribal pockets. But these areas are free from Maoist activities. The reason is that since Independence, successive governments in Gujarat have taken a number of steps for the development of these areas. One can find schools and roads here. These areas are economically and educationally developed. So, Maoists have not been able to make inroads here. Similar steps should be taken in Odisha. Once the fruits of administration reach, the Maoist problem will be contained to a great extent.

It is being said that your proximity to Prime Minister Narendra Modi got you the job. How do you respond to it?

These are rumours. It has no basis at all. I had never met Modi earlier. I met him in Delhi a few days ago and he was keen on developing a model on skill development of human resources. I hope I will be able to do my best in this regard.

You enjoy the status of a minister of state. Have you ever met the chief minister?

Yes. He is the chairman of the State Planning Board. We discuss problems with him and he is very responsive.