Odisha Cabinet approves major policy and infrastructure proposals

The Odisha Cabinet, led by Chief Minister Mohan Charan Manjhi, has approved a series of major policy amendments and infrastructure investments across several sectors.

In the technology and energy sectors, the government amended the Odisha Semiconductor Manufacturing and Fabless Policy to support R&D, equipment manufacturing, and supply chain components. Additionally, the Odisha Renewable Energy Policy (OREP) was updated to include electricity duty exemptions for net-metering consumers and transmission charge exemptions for battery energy storage systems. The state also removed the 500 MW cap on wind power projects.

For agricultural development, the Cabinet approved a combined outlay of over Rs 12,847 crore for irrigation. This includes the Parbati Giri Megalift Irrigation Project, which aims to create an additional irrigation potential of 262,275 hectares, and a Rs 389 crore scheme for renovating tanks and minor irrigation projects.

Administrative reforms include the implementation of the Odisha State Workflow Automation System (OSWAS) 3.0 to facilitate paperless and transparent digital governance. Furthermore, the state revised the Odisha Civil Services (Rehabilitation Assistance) Rules, 2026, abolishing the 100-point evaluation system and the 50% recruitment cap for compassionate appointments to families of deceased government employees.

In Malkangiri, the foundation stone was laid for a new Electric Vehicle Technology Excellence Centre at the Mathili ITI to promote green mobility and technical skills.