To bridge the gap between cultural heritage and high-tech industrial growth, the Odisha Cabinet cleared 12 major proposals on Saturday that could reshape the state’s economic and social landscape. The meeting, which covered 10 different departments, signaled a dual focus: honoring the state’s roots while aggressively pursuing a spot on the global manufacturing map.
Chief Secretary Anu Garg highlighted that a major priority is the promotion of Odia identity. The Cabinet officially approved the implementation of the "Odisha Cultural Development Service," a new cadre specifically designed to manage and expand Odia language and literature programmes. With half of the 66 designated posts already filled, the state is now formalising promotion tracks and specific duties to ensure the culture doesn't just survive but thrives in a modern context.
On the industrial front, the state is making a massive play for the defense and aerospace sectors. A standout approval was for the Kalyani Group’s "new-age manufacturing complex" in Dhenkanal district. This isn't just a standard factory; it’s an integrated site that will start with specialty steel and eventually produce super-alloys and high-end components for the automotive and defense industries. With an expected investment of ₹17,250 crore, the project is projected to create high-value employment for roughly 12,000 people— part of a broader vision to generate 20,000 jobs across these advanced sectors.
The Cabinet also tackled more immediate infrastructure and policy needs. A budget of ₹362 crore was greenlit for a new water diversion system to overhaul irrigation, and the Odisha State Cooperative Policy–2026 was adopted to streamline how local cooperative institutions operate. Even the recruitment process saw an uptick, with amendments made to the 2022 Combined Technical Services rules for making hiring smoother for technical government roles.
One interesting note for travelers and businesses is the status of international connectivity. Current flights from Odisha to Dubai and Singapore have been extended through March, though a final call on whether these routes will become permanent now rests with Chief Minister Mohan Majhi. Collectively, these decisions suggest a state government that is trying to balance the preservation of its past with a very ambitious, tech-driven future.
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