Satyabrata Sahu
Not very often do you come across people with clout and authority pursuing and excelling in a second passion. Satyabrata Sahu, the incumbent Additional Chief Secretary, Revenue & disaster management with the Odisha government, demonstrates this rare trait. A consummate mandarin, Sahu has struck special notes- whether a decision-making note on a file or a compelling note in music. To the unversed, let us parade this gifted talent he possesses. Imbued with the vocal gift, Sahu is a singer of very good caliber. His recently released devotional albums in obeisance of the Supreme Lord Jagannath showcase his passion for singing elevated by his unspeakable devotion to the presiding Lord of Jagannath Temple, Puri.
One can easily sense the intensity and naturalness in his voice. Sahu’s rendition strikes many a chord and ignites fervour and undiluted submission to the Lord. The views and likes amassed on YouTube testify to the strength of his captivating voice. Before this, he lent his voice to the ‘Mo School’ anthem last year and announced to adopt Manikeswari High School in Bhawanipatna.
Mr Sahu is an administrator par excellence with unblemished credentials. His impeccable service record and performance laced with reforms are the talk of the power corridors and beyond. In his previous stint as the Principal Secretary of MSME department, Sahu had more than a commendable stint. As the Chairman of The Startup Odisha’s task force, he had sanctioned Product Development & Marketing Assistance and Monthly Allowance Grant of Rs 85.4 lakhs to 16 startups. As the MSME secretary, he had announced one of the country’s largest engineering clusters at Indranipatna industrial area of Cuttack. The cluster will be formed by incorporating existing MSMEs under the Centre’s Micro and Small Enterprises – Cluster Development Programme (MSE-CDP). Odisha Industrial Infrastructure Development (IDCO) has allocated six acres for the common facility center of the cluster and eight acres for the special purpose vehicle. Both the State and the Centre have approved the detailed project report.
A total of Rs 31 crore is expected to be spent on the cluster, which is being promoted by the Odisha Assembly of Small and Medium Enterprises. Under the MSE-CDP scheme, the State government will contribute Rs 7.18 crore as grant assistance along with the Centre. SPV members will contribute Rs 5.31 crore.
Sahu said the mega engineering cluster is a part of an entrepreneurial promotion as well as MSME development activities of the government. “All support is being provided to the SPV so that the project can be completed within one year. A new procurement policy is also coming up very soon, which will give strong marketing support to local MSMEs”.
He also promoted using rice bran oil to boost entrepreneurship in the state. Rice bran, once considered not of much use beyond cattle feed and fuel, is emerging as a boon for farmers because of the popularization of agri-technology initiatives by the government.
Sahu opined that incentives like interest subsidy of five per cent per annum for five years on term loan from the date of commercial production, 75 per cent net SGST reimbursement for five years up to the limit of 100 per cent investment on plant and machinery, exemption of electricity duty up to contract demand of 500 KVA for five years, assistance for quality certification, employment cost subsidy and technical knowhow now available for the sector.
In his current role as the boss of the revenue department, his stakes are high on compensatory afforestation. A land bank for compensatory afforestation has already been established. In 18 districts, around 26,500 acres of revenue forest land have been identified as degraded. Keonjhar district contributed the most land with about 10,800 acres.
During his tenure as the secretary for school & mass education, Sahu was instrumental in facilitating seamless delivery of online education when schools were shut due to the raging Covid pandemic. He had shot off letters to Directors and District Education Officers that the schools can take up online classes for students of classes 9th and 11th.
In addition to setting an ambitious target of bringing in one lakh hectares of land to the CA land bank within a year, Sahu said the bank needs to grow to 50,000 acres by March 2022.
A capable leader, a peerless administrator or a singer with flair, Sahu can take on an array of roles and do justice to them all.
