BHUBANESWAR: Governor S C Jamir on Wednesday said the size of Odisha's economy has increased by 22.27 per cent during the last six years in terms of the gross state domestic product (GSDP), achieving an annual average growth rate of 6.23 per cent.Addressing the assembly to mark beginning of the budget session of the state assembly, Jamir said the growth rate in economy which was 4.61 per cent in 2012-13 has reached 7.94 per cent in 2016-17."The real per capita income increased from Rs 47,632 in 2011-12 to Rs 61,678 in 2016-17," Jamir said.Referring the Mahanadi issue in his speech, Jamir said the state government has stood firmly with the people of Odisha to ensure their due share of water from Mahanadi.He said the state government has move Centre to prevent unauthorized construction by Chhattisgarh and also approached the Supreme Court to resolve the interstate water sharing dispute. "My government will leave no stone unturned to protect the interest of the people of Odisha on river Mahanadi," he added.Though Jamir said that the impact of demonitisation is yet to be assessed fully, he said the move has brought about a steep deceleration of state's economy and public finance. Post-demonetisation, there is a decline of over 11 per cent in the own tax collection in December, 2016 over the previous month.He said the state government has consistently and continuously strived to achieve a sustainable and inclusive higher economic growth and reduction of regional, social and gender disparities."The state has achieved significant improvement in finance during last 15 years through various fiscal reform measures, as a result of which the state is able to undertake various developmental activities from its own resources," Jamir said.The governor also hailed the state government for bringing down the left wing extremism (LWE) situation in Odisha even though the situation is still challenging in Malkangiri, Koraput and Kalahandi districts.In order to increase the mobile telephone connectivity in LWE affected areas, 248 towers had been operationalised and to augment police capacity, 250 new posts in different ranks created, said the governor.To ease the problem of share croppers, the governor said the state government is proposing to bring out the Odisha Agriculture Land Leasing Act , 2016.He said the state government has set a target of creating 10 lakh hectares irrigation potential by 2019. To boost the agriculture marketing in Odisha, governor said a proposal for setting up of 10 e-platforms in selected markets is in the process.Stating that replacement of the kisan credit cards with RuPay debit card is under implementation, Jamir said nearly 11.46 lakh RuPay cards will be provided to farmers by mid of 2017.Among others, the governor appreciated the state government's effort in sectors like agriculture, rural development, health, education, backward region development, industrial development and its pro-people programmes.The opposition Congress and BJP dubbed the governor's speech saying there was nothing new in it.

Stay updated with all the Latest Bhubaneswar headlines here. For more exclusive & live news updates from all around India, stay connected with NYOOOZ.