Bhubaneswar, Aug 15 (IANS) Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Saturday announced the scrapping of the six-attempt limit for the Odisha Civil Services Examination and free textbooks for students of Classes 9 and 10, while outlining several other initiatives in education, youth employment and agriculture in his Independence Day address.
Addressing the gathering on the occasion, Chief Minister Majhi paid glowing tributes to the freedom fighters who fought for India’s independence through both non-violent movements led by Mahatma Gandhi and armed struggles spearheaded by Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose, Bhagat Singh and others.
“The history of India’s freedom struggle is not merely the story of a struggle; it was the first step towards nation-building,” the Chief Minister said.
He also highlighted major episodes of freedom movement in Odisha, including the Raktatirtha of Eram, the Ghumusar Rebellion, the Praja Mandal movement, the Kandha Rebellion, the Sambalpur Rebellion, the Bhuyan Rebellion in Keonjhar and the tribal uprisings in Koraput.
Chief Minister Majhi noted over the past twelve years, through one visionary decision after another, PM Modi has established the country as a leading nation in the world in social, economic and political spheres.
“Today, India is a nation filled with confidence, self-reliance and self-respect.”
On the occasion, CM Majhi also said that over the past two years, his government, with the blessings of Lord Jagannath and 4.5 crore people of Odisha, has been working with dedication to build a ‘Samruddha Odisha’ and a ‘Viksit Odisha’.
The Chief Minister highlighted the major initiatives taken by the state government for the development for farmers, women empowerment, youths, education and health, skill development, science and technology and other leading sectors.
In a significant announcement, CM Majhi declared that, “Earlier, free textbooks were provided to students only up to Class 8 in schools. Along with this, I announce on this sacred occasion today that free textbooks will also be provided to students of Classes 9 and 10.”
He also declared that a decision has been taken to establish 18 new government colleges in remote districts and four new universities in the state.
“On this sacred occasion, I announce that the existing limit of a maximum of six attempts for the Odisha Civil Services Examination is being scrapped. From now on, candidates will be allowed to appear for the examination up to the prescribed upper age limit.”
While highlighting the importance of doubling of farmers’ income in the state’s economic growth, the Chief Minister clarified the confusion over Agri-Stack registration for procurement of paddy.
“I want to make it clear to our farmer brothers and sisters today that there is no connection between Agri-Stack registration and P-PAS registration for paddy procurement. As every year, P-PAS registration will be carried out this year as well, and the paddy procurement programme will be conducted on that basis,” CM Majhi declared.
Addressing the youth, the Chief Minister said the state government is committed to creating ample employment opportunities in Odisha by giving a much-needed push to industrial investment in the state.
He also voiced concerns over the attempt by vested interest groups, both inside the country and outside, in misleading the youths of India.
He appealed to the young people to focus on your respective careers without being influenced by anyone.
“Let every Odia be committed to building a prosperous, empowered, inclusive and developed Odisha. The next decade will be Odisha’s decade. By 2036, let us build a prosperous Odisha, and by 2047, let us build a developed Odisha and a developed India,” CM Majhi added.
–IANS
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