Industrialization in Odisha, at what cost?

If this indiscriminate hunger for industrialization carries on in Odisha and that too without implementing a well thought of plan for the same, all that will be left, would be a bunch of capitalists hand in glove with a few corrupt politicians, crushing us Odias for their vested interests. This will further aggravate the mental depression which is very high among many Odias, primarily caused due to the lack of opportunity for a reasonable livelihood, gross poverty and the sub human living conditions. Further creating Odisha into as un-conducive place for any industrialist to work in and also creating havoc in the society. For example Odisha was always a peace loving state and its crime rate was much lower than many states of India. In the past 10-12 years surprisingly out of the 30 districts 22 are naxal affected. Besides other reasons it is the ever growing economic divide among the rich and the poor is one of the  primary reasons for the increased criminalities.

I along with many Odias certainly do not oppose industrialization or investments coming into Odisha but I strongly feel that the same should happen in a planned manor. The BJD Govt. should finish its own home work first, that to with utmost perfection, prior to approaching any one for any investment to be made in the state. The Government should be aware of what it can offer and also be aware of what it can bargain for from the Industrialist, balancing their interest and also safe guarding the interest of Odisha . Most importantly safe guarding the environmental along with the social and economic interests. It is like one is in need of money and one agrees to let out his / her house on rent. Now a moneyed person sees investment potential in the house and offers to take it up on rent. The owner should have complete information regarding the fund flow required for smooth functioning of his/her family. The owner must also be aware of the available electricity load, water availability, and garbage disposal system etc. of the house. Points like how many people will be visiting the tenant and that the premises should not be used for illegal & criminal activities, all this must have a mention in an agreement between the tenant & the owner. Taking all the said into consideration and keeping the market value of the property in mind the landlord should bargain with the interested moneyed person on the rent / deposit / security. The agreement signed by the duo during the letting out of the house should be a well thought of, sustainable plan .The tenant who pays rent is not expected to take care of the owners children nor should one expect the tenant to be concerned about the ailing mother of the owner. Similarly an Investor company coming to Odisha is primarily here to earn profits for its promoters, its investors and its share holders. In return it is willing to pay taxes as prescribed in the rule book of the land and also pay for the welfare work as per the pre-laid guidelines of the Government of the land. Beyond that no company should be expected to do any welfare for the people of Odisha. The welfare work is the job of the Government and not of the investor. I personally feel neither an investor company nor the agitating people of Odisha should be held responsible for the recent day chaos created due to the proposed industrialization in Odisha; it is the indecisive and week administration which is responsible. I hope and wish that no investor coming to Odisha should face the same fate as that of POSCO etc. I do not say that POSCO, as in the company is only facing trouble, the agitating people who are affected due to this project too are troubled deep within. Do put your mind to it, all the industries showing interest in investing in Odisha are mining based industries. Are there no other industries?  

Despite the fact that the Posco issue and several other companies are not yet resolved and there has been an international embarrassment for India due to the indecisiveness & miss-management of CM Neveen Patnaik's Government, the Odisha government is now making an all-out effort to woo  others. I am told that the state government has nominated its principal secretary of industries, to take the initiative. There have been several teams of Odisha Government officials visiting foreign countries at the cost of the state exchequer for wooing investments into Odisha.

Many from all the 30 districts of Odisha, have close interaction with me, because of my office of PMYSA -Odisha, MoPR,Govt. of India and also due to my social cause work with project ’Nandini’. Many now a days juggle one question, is Naveen Patnaik looking for investors to invest in Odisha for the benefit of Odias or for his own benefit? Many tell me that the CM is the master mind of this huge corruption racket, I just wish that he is not the epicentre of this chaos, cause if he personally is, then many including me will feel cheated. Like the General of the Army takes the credit for the good doings of his soldier and gets the wrath for their ill doings. Shouldn’t the CM of Odisha?