Odisha Cabinet approves major development and skill schemes

The Odisha Cabinet, chaired by Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, has approved 16 proposals across 11 departments. A major highlight is the Dakshyata Vikas Yojana, a ₹450 crore skill development scheme designed to enhance the employability of approximately 4.2 lakh youth by linking training with higher education and providing foreign language instruction for international job markets.

In terms of infrastructure, the Chief Minister has ordered the acceleration of several projects to transform Puri into a world-class heritage and tourism destination. Key initiatives include the construction of the Sri Jagannath International Airport, the Sri Jagannath Interpretation Center, and the reconstruction of the Raghunandan Library. Additionally, the state has launched 46 industrial projects worth ₹39,383 crore, which are expected to create over 42,500 jobs across 14 districts.

Despite these developments, financial reports indicate that Odisha spent approximately ₹94,463 crore—about 30 per cent of its ₹3.1 lakh crore annual budget—during the first half of the 2026–27 financial year. Capital expenditure has notably lagged behind targets, with only about one-fourth of the planned amount utilized by the end of September. The Cabinet also passed a resolution congratulating Prime Minister Narendra Modi on completing 25 years of government leadership.