Odisha Cabinet Clears Major Energy, Civil Services, and Student Welfare Projects

The Odisha cabinet has approved thirteen key proposals, including a massive hydro project, relaxed civil services rules, and free campus internet. Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi led the meeting in Bhubaneswar where these decisions were finalized.

Energy And Water

The cabinet greenlit the six hundred megawatt Upper Indravati Pumped Storage Project at Ranibahal in Kalahandi district. The state will spend a total of 4,708.64 crore rupees on this undertaking, with 3,371.88 crore rupees specifically allocated for construction. Megha Engineering and Infrastructures Limited will develop the site, which aims to start operations by the 2030-31 financial year. Officials state the facility will produce roughly 1,040 million units of peak power annually by storing extra electricity during quiet hours and releasing it when demand peaks. Additionally, the Water Resources Department secured 450 crore rupees for new in-stream storage and mega lift irrigation systems.

Education And Jobs

Lawmakers amended the Odisha Civil Services Rules of 1991 to remove all limits on how many times a candidate can take the state civil services test. Aspirants may now try as many times as they want until they reach the maximum age limit. Furthermore, the cabinet cleared the Odisha Shikshanet project costing 393.62 crore rupees. This scheme brings free Wi-Fi with a one gigabyte daily cap to 601 colleges, helping nearly six lakh students.

Agriculture And Supplies

The government finalized the Paddy Procurement Policy for the 2026-27 Kharif Marketing Season. Officials plan to buy at least 78 lakh metric tonnes of paddy from farmers at 3,100 rupees per quintal, sending money straight to bank accounts within 24 to 48 hours. Finally, the tenure for about 5,000 private fair price shop dealers was extended by one year until September 30, 2027.

Context

Pumped storage projects like the one in Kalahandi help power grids manage shifting electricity demands by acting like giant rechargeable batteries. Such policy approvals reflect ongoing state efforts to boost public infrastructure, student connectivity, and agricultural support through direct benefit transfers.