Finance
Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi was felicitated by industrialists, industry representatives and members of industry associations at Lok Seva Bhawan today after Odisha was ranked among the top 5 states in the country in the Investment Friendliness Index-2026 published by NITI Aayog.
According to the index, Gujarat ranked first with 56.6 points. Odisha ranked fifth overall with 52.4 points. Maharashtra is ranked second, Tamil Nadu third, and Goa fourth. Odisha is ranked fourth among the largest states. While Gujarat, Goa, and Maharashtra from western India made it into the top five, Tamil Nadu was the sole state from southern India. Odisha is the only northern and eastern state listed as a top performance.
Praising the industrialists on the occasion, the Chief Minister said the NITI Aayog ranking is very encouraging. “This has boosted the morale of Team Odisha and the entrepreneurs. Our goal is to place Odisha among the top 5 states not only in the industrial sector but also in the field of economic growth,” he said.
The Chief Minister added that the pace of industrial development in the last two years with the support of industry has never been seen before. “We have worked hard for investment in Odisha. Our government believes in work, not words. We had promised to invest Rs 5 lakh crore in 5 years. But in 2 years, it has crossed Rs 3 lakh crore,” he said.
He noted that while states like Gujarat, Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu have long been recognized as industrialized states, Odisha started late but is now moving forward at a fast pace. “We have to maintain this speed. We will work to increase the investment fivefold in 5 years,” CM Majhi said.
He further stated the Prime Minister Narendra Modi has extended full support for industrialization in Odisha. “In 2 years, we have been able to attract capital worth Rs 20 lakh crore. Till now, 453 projects have been sanctioned for setting up industries in the state. This will bring in an investment of Rs 9.50 lakh crore. In the last two years, we have inaugurated and laid the foundation stone of 152 projects worth Rs 3.11 lakh crore. This has created employment opportunities for 2.5 lakh youth. We are working keeping in mind the increase in employment with industrialization in all districts,” he added.
Industries Minister Sampada Swain said under the leadership of the Chief Minister, the government is working with commitment. “This honor is not just a rank for us, it shows the love of investors for Odisha. Under the strong leadership of the Chief Minister, Odisha has now become not a state of possibilities, but a state of success,” she said.
Dr. Mukesh Mahaling, Minister of Electronics and Information Technology, stated that Odisha has been placed on the country’s IT map over the last two years, thanks to the Prime Minister’s advice and the Chief Minister’s leadership.
Anil Singh, President of the CII, Odisha, praised the Chief Minister and Team Odisha, and stated that industrialists, industry representatives, the government, and authorities are working together to promote industrialization. “Under the leadership of the Chief Minister, Odisha will definitely occupy the second position in this index in the coming year,” he said.
Rajiv Sahu, Chairman of the ICC, Odisha, stated that the Odisha industrial sector has made steady growth over the previous two years under the Chief Minister’s innovative leadership.
CII Representative Subrata Tripathi said such development in Odisha had not been seen before. “The dawn of the Honorable Prime Minister begins from Odisha itself,” he said. Other industry representatives also thanked the Chief Minister for giving priority and support to all sectors for industrialization.
According to Chief Secretary Anu Garg, the state is making progress in the industrial sector thanks to tight collaboration with Forest, Water Resources, Revenue, and other departments. Hemant Sharma, Additional Chief Secretary (Industry), complimented the Chief Minister for his hard work and commitment to the state’s industrial development.
