Bhubaneswar: The Odisha government Friday announced the new State Port Policy.

The Odisha State cabinet meeting held under the chairmanship of chief minister Naveen Patnaik took 17 major decisions including port policy, Prambha- State Policy for Children 2022 and crop diversification, here on Friday . The decisions are pertaining to the departments of Odia Language, Literature and Culture; Skill development and Technical education; Women and child development; Agriculture and farmers’ empowerment; General administration and public grievances; Parliamentary affairs; Planning and convergence; and Water resources.
The major decisions included approval of Odisha State policy for Children aimed at furthering children’s right to survival, protection, physical health, mental health, education, participation and other milestones required for their optimal development and overall wellbeing; and, Crop diversification programme aimed at revival of soil health, increase in micro fauna and production of high value cash crops. The maintenance and improvement of the assets in government and government aided higher secondary schools, community helath centers ( CHCs), sub-divisonal helath centers ( SDHs), and district head quarter hospitals, Odisha Adarhsa Vidyalayas ( OAVs) through the departments of Works and Rural Development also received cabinet nod. The historic Odisha State Port Policy-2022 envisaging holistic development of maritime eco-system in Odisha, promotion of private sector development in maritime sector with the idea of #Kalingadvantage , and creation of employment opportunities for youths of Odisha also received Cabinet approval.

The meeting of the State Council of Ministers was also held under the chairmanship of chief minister Sr
Patnaik.
The chief secretary Suresh Chandra Mahapatra along with development commissioner Pradeep Kumar Jena briefed the media about the cabinet decisions and the decisions of the Council of Ministers.

Odisha Port Policy, 2022

  1. The Odisha Port Policy 2022 has been formulated by the commerce & transport department, government of Odisha for the holistic development of the entire maritime ecosystem of Odisha.
  2. This policy aims to provide comprehensive guidelines for integrated development of non-major ports and inland waterways of Odisha.
  3. This policy shall facilitate the promotion of private sector investments into the maritilne sector of the State, helping Odisha emerge as a ihvoured investment destination, promoting the idea of #kalingadvantage and providing employment opportunities to the youth of Odisha.
  4. Currently, the State has 14 notified Non-Major ports, out of which the ports at Dhamra and Gopalpur are already functioning, while the ports at Astaranga and Subarnarekha Mouth (Kirtania) are currently under construction. This policy seeks to aid and promote development of Ports and Port-led industrial development through improved port linking infrastructure.
  5. The Policy also promotes other maritime ventures such as Coastal Shipping, promotion of Marine Tourism, Multipurpose harbours, introduction of Seaplane connectivity, promotion of facilities and creation of infrastructure för ship building. Ship breaking and related activities
  6. Greater focus has been placed on adoption of latest technology and creating sustainable maritime development along the Odisha coast.