Odisha needs private players to be front-runner: CM

Sambalpur: Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Sunday said the state needed private players to fulfil its aim of becoming the front-runner among states.

"Odisha aims to become the front runner among states in the country. And to meet the objective, the state needs the support of private players. We have vision for a diversified and prosperous economy by 2020," he said. "We need core development strategy with faster entrepreneurship and more private investment. The state has received 250 mn USD as FDI by 2010," he said at the inaugural function of first Global Alumni meet of Veer Surendra Sai University of Technology (VSSUT) at Burla. Several studies have ranked Odisha as a favourable state for investment, he said, adding, "We need massive investment for development of human resource and industrial sector." Alumni of the VSSUT have occupied important position in the world, he said and expressed hope that the institute would keep up its tradition and quality education. The Chief Minister also laid foundation of a pipe water project at Kiakata with an estimated cost of Rs 24 crore. The 27-km long project will supply water to Rairakhole town from river Mahanadi. PTI