Odisha Cabinet Clears 12 Key Proposals to Boost Jobs, Transparency, and Welfare
Bhubaneswar, Nov 21: The Odisha Cabinet, led by Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, approved 12 major proposals across nine departments during its 30th meeting, signalling a strong push for governance reforms, employment generation, and welfare measures.
Among the highlights, the Cabinet adopted the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Amendment Act, 2024, aimed at strengthening environmental governance by decriminalising minor offences and easing industry compliance.
In a welfare move, inadmissible Special Diet Allowances worth Rs 64.94 lakh paid to police personnel between 1993 and 1996 were written off.
Education reforms featured prominently, with enhanced scholarships under the Mukhya Mantri Medhabi Chatra Protsahan Yojana.
Pre-Matric scholarships will now stand at Rs 16,000 for boys and Rs 17,000 for girls annually, while Post-Matric mess allowances have been raised to the same level, effective December 1, 2025.
To attract global investment, the Cabinet approved the Odisha Global Capability Centre (GCC) Policy 2025, targeting Rs 11,000 crore investment, five GCC hubs, and over 50,000 jobs.
Mining reforms included an e-lottery system for quarry leases and new mineral rules to curb illegal trading and smuggling.
Other decisions included restructuring of the statistical cadre, transfer of labour tenement records, and establishment of the Odisha Uniformed Services Staff Selection Commission (OUSSSC) to ensure transparent recruitment in police, excise, forest, and transport services.
These measures collectively underscore the government’s focus on transparency, balanced regional development, and improved welfare for marginalised communities.
