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In a major governance push, the Odisha Cabinet on Friday cleared several strategic amendments across policies to streamline approvals, enhance legal staffing, expand irrigation infrastructure, and simplify tax procedures—moves aimed at promoting investment, judicial efficiency, and rural development across the State.
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According to official sources, the Cabinet has approved pivotal amendments across several policies to enhance administrative efficiency and stimulate growth in critical sectors such as food processing, legal services, irrigation, and taxation.
A major change comes under the Odisha Food Processing Policy, 2016, aligning it with the 2022 policy for smoother implementation of fiscal incentives. The earlier three-tier approval system for MSMEs has been revised. Now, the District Level Committee (DLC) led by the Collector will handle projects with an investment up to Rs 1 crore, the State DLC, chaired by the Director of Industries will manage Rs 1–10 crore, and the State Level Committee (SLC) under the MSME Secretary will oversee projects worth Rs 10–50 crore. The overhaul is aimed at decentralising approvals and accelerating food processing investments.
Addressing a judicial backlog, the Cabinet has endorsed an amendment to the Odisha Law Officers Rules, 1971, to recruit more officers under the Odisha State Prosecution Service (OSPS), facilitating faster case resolution.
In rural infrastructure, the Odisha Cabinet extended Mukhyamantri Adibandha Tiyari Yojana (MATY)-3.0 till 2029–30, targeting the construction of 3,313 new and improvement of 3,529 existing check dams. With an outlay of Rs 2,738 crore, the initiative aims to boost irrigation across nearly 100,000 hectares and ensure drinking water post-monsoon.
Furthermore, amendments to the Odisha Goods and Services Tax Act, 2017 include clearer definitions for ‘Plant and Machinery’, new compliance mechanisms like track-and-trace for high-risk sectors, and flexible return-filing processes. Penalties and appeal procedures have also been streamlined.
Finally, with new national criminal laws coming into effect, changes to Judicial Staff Service Rules are underway to improve the recruitment and training in Odisha’s subordinate courts, ensuring better legal administration.
