President Droupadi Murmu is expected to embark on a day-long visit to Rourkela in Odisha, to participate in various programmes in the steel city, Union Tribal Affairs Minister Jual Oram informed on Tuesday.
Minister Oram, who represents the Sundargarh Lok Sabha constituency, shared this update following a high-level meeting with Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi at the Lok Seva Bhawan in New Delhi.
While the visit is tentatively slated for April 21, Oram noted that the official itinerary is still being finalised. “I held a discussion with the CM on three issues, and one of those was the proposed visit of the President on April 21… Nothing (schedule) has been finalised yet,” Oram said while speaking to reporters.
Oram’s discussion with the CM also covered critical infrastructure developments, specifically the progress of land acquisition for the expansion of the Rourkela Steel Plant. Additionally, the leaders reviewed the transfer of land from the plant to the Airports Authority of India, a move essential for the expansion of the Rourkela Airport.
Minister Oram expressed satisfaction with the current pace of both projects.
During the meeting, Oram extended his gratitude to Chief Minister Majhi for the state cabinet’s landmark decision to expand reservation benefits in professional education. The new policy covers medical, engineering, and other higher education streams for SC, ST, and SEBC students.
Recently, the Odisha cabinet enhanced the quota for Scheduled Tribe (ST) students to 22.5 per cent (from 12 per cent), Scheduled Castes (SC) to 16.25 per cent (from 8 per cent), and introduced an 11.25 per cent reservation for Socially and Educationally Backward Classes (SEBC/OBC) students in professional courses.
“The enhancement of quota will greatly benefit students from marginalised communities in pursuing higher education,” he said.
Odisha Chief Secretary Anu Garg and DGP Y B Khurania were present in the meeting.
In a post from is X handle wrote, “Discussed with the Hon’ble Union Tribal Affairs Minister and Sundargarh MP Shri @jualoram regarding the visit of Hon’ble President Smt. Droupadi Murmu to Rourkela on the 21st and the proposed programmes.”
“This visit of the Hon’ble President is a matter of pride for Odisha. Our state government is continuing all preparations and cooperation to make this programme a complete success,” the CM added.
