CABINET DECISIONS  

 17.05.2004        

  1st Meeting of the Council of Ministers  

At the outset, Chief Minister congratulated all the members of the Council of Ministers. He laid down the following important guidelines.

(1) The Common Minimum Programmes of the alliance partners, namely, BJD and BJP should form the basis of Government policies and Programmes. Each Minister/Minister of State (Independent Charge) should draw roadmap and set milestones for expeditious implementation of the Programmes relating to his Department and should review the progress every month.

(2) Agriculture and Rural Development should be the cornerstone of the development of the State. The Concerned Minister should chalk out the blueprint for increasing production of

w Fruits, Vegetables and Flower.

w Milk

w Fish

w Foodgrains.

Monitorable targets should be fixed in each of these sub-sectors and constant monitoring be done.

(3) Employment generation should be the prime focus of the Government’s Programmes. Self-employment of educated unemployed youth should receive particular attention.

(4) Investor-friendly climate should be created for exploitation of natural resources, particularly mineral resources, of the State. This is essential for stepping up growth rate as well as job creation.

(5) Poverty reduction and welfare of the people through convergence of resources available under various ongoing Programmes are the ultimate goals of the Government. Literacy, particularly female literacy, health cover for the poor, reduction in infant mortality rate and maternal mortality rate would necessarily be components of various Programmes to serve these goals.

(6) In this context, food security for the poor and vulnerable is of utmost importance and should continue to get priority attention.

Chief Minister urged the members of the Council of Ministers to work with redoubled vigour for the welfare and development of the people of the State.