Odisha to seek Rs 12L crore from 16th Finance Commission

Odisha’s state cabinet, led by Chief Minister Mohan Majhi, has sanctioned ten proposals on Wednesday. It has been decided that Odisha will demand Rs 12,56,148 crore before the 16th Finance Commission for undertaking various developmental activities in the State. 

“The 16th Finance Commission will visit Odisha from February 6-8. Odisha will demand Rs 12,56,148 crore that will be spent between 2026-31,” said CM Majhi.

Another key cabinet decision aimed at overhauling the educational landscape, following critiques of the previous 5T Transformation Programme. The 5T initiative, centred on teamwork, technology, transparency, transformation, and time limits, sparked apprehensions due to perceived deficiencies in project planning for its smart schools scheme.

In a bid to address these concerns and secure the educational future of students, the Odisha government has unveiled plans to establish an Adarsha Vidyalaya in every panchayat. The first phase of the initiative envisions the creation of Adarsha Vidyalayas in 114 panchayats during the current financial year, with a gradual expansion to encompass additional panchayats over the subsequent four years.

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“Transformation of smart schools in the name of 5T was not done in a proper manner as no DPR was prepared or estimate was being done. It was like playing with the future of students. So, a decision was taken today to set up Adarsh Vidyalayas in each panchayat. In the first phase, it will be set up in 114 panchayats,” said CM Majhi.

“Adarsha Vidyalayas in every panchayat will be named as Godabarisha Mishra Adarsha Prathamika Vidyalaya. It will have all the necessary infrastructure and manpower. Adarsha Vidyalayas will be set up in 6,794 panchayats across the State. These schools will act as feeder schools. A budget of Rs 4-5 crore will be allocated to set up each school and these schools will be completed within four years. A total budget of Rs 12,000 crore will be allocated for setting up these schools. These schools will play a big role as feeder schools in Odisha,” he added.

Odisha Government will provide a 50 per cent incentive which is around Rs 110 crore in two phases to RIR Power Electronics Limited to set up a Silicon Carbide Semiconductor production factory in the State. 

For the empowerment of farmers and farming, it has been decided in the cabinet that a 60 per cent subsidy and a maximum amount of Rs 6.5 crore will be provided for setting up cold storage facilities for SC, ST and transgender beneficiaries. Other beneficiaries will get a 50 per cent subsidy with a maximum amount of Rs 6 crore.

For setting up infrastructure like community halls, kalyan mandaps, street lights, playgrounds and good road facilities across the State, the ‘Bikashit Gaon, Bikashit Odisha’ scheme has been approved. 

Odisha doctors and health service rules 2017 under the Health and Family Welfare Department have been amended. New Medical colleges will be set up to create more doctors. A decision has been taken to give appointments to 5,000 doctors soon. As many as 126 dental doctors will also be appointed soon.

It has been decided that Odisha government will extend government guarantee to GRIDCO Ltd. for availing term loans from commercial banks/ financial institutions at reduced interest rates by providing the said government guarantee to the commercial banks/ financial institutions, thereby saving interest cost.