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Part I :
General Statistics
Odisha is blessed with plentiful natural resources and a long coastline. It contains a fifth of India’s coal,
a quarter of its iron ore, one third of its bauxite reserves and abundant quantities of chromite. Major
aluminum and steel plants are located in Odisha. It is also the first state in India to initiate privatization
of its electricity transmission and distribution business.
About 60 per cent of the population depends on agriculture and the performance of Odisha’s agriculture
sector is highly dependent and susceptible to adverse impact of natural shocks in form of cyclones,
droughts and floods. As per Census, the percentage share of cultivators and agricultural workers in the
state has declined from about 65 per cent in 2001 to 62 per cent in 2011.
Earlier, Odisha had high deficit levels as close to 50 per cent to GSDP which has now declined to less
than 20 per cent of GSDP in 2013-14. Thus, the overall macro scenario is rapidly improving in Odisha.