TV
The Odisha Cabinet on Friday approved four out of five proposals, including Rs 6,100 crore for the urban development scheme (Mukhyamantri Sahari Bikash Yojana). Key decisions aim to upgrade city infrastructure, boost biotech innovation, expand irrigation, and support central narcotics operations by waiving premium charges on land.
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According to sources, the Odisha Cabinet, chaired by Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, approved four of five proposals presented during its meeting. Among the major ones is the urban development scheme, with an allocation of Rs 6,100 crore aimed at improving basic infrastructure and creating employment opportunities across urban areas in the State.
The Cabinet also gave its nod to a major plan for the promotion of biotechnology and life sciences, with Rs 1,113.5 crore set aside for implementation over five years. This initiative is expected to propel Odisha’s position as an emerging biotech hub in eastern India.
In support of national security infrastructure, the State government decided to waive an additional land premium of over Rs 2.6 crore for the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB), which has been allotted 0.644 acres of land at Chandrasekharpur, Bhubaneswar. The move is aimed at facilitating quicker expansion of the bureau's regional operations.
In the irrigation sector, the Cabinet approved the Chheligada Irrigation Project, which includes the construction of a concrete dam and a single-way canal system. The project, budgeted at Rs 151 crore, is expected to bring 6,260 hectares of land under assured irrigation.
These projects reflect the State government’s multi-pronged strategy to stimulate economic growth, improve urban living standards, and strengthen support infrastructure in Odisha across sectors.
Major boost for Biotechnology
The Cabinet has approved an umbrella scheme comprising of 17 sub-schemes, and programmes.
“Recognising the immense potential, Government of Odisha has identified Biotechnology as a thrust sector in its Industrial Policy Resolution (IPR), 2022, which would be requiring skilled workforce, research & innovation, state-of-the-art infrastructure, targeted incentives across industries, start ups and incubators,” a press release mentioned.
The scheme will foster collaboration between industry, academia, and research to benefit society and open vast opportunities for biotechnology applications across various sectors, including industry, agriculture, medicine, and the environment.
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With the Odisha Biotechnology Policy 2024 in place, the scheme will provide incentives to develop advanced infrastructure for product and service development, positioning Odisha to become a knowledge-driven bio-economy and contribute significantly to the State’s overall economic growth.
Objectives of the ‘Development of Biotechnology’ scheme
1. To promote higher education, research, and infrastructure development in the most promising areas of Biotechnology.
2. To develop and strengthen a supportive and vibrant ecosystem for 51s Innovation, Incubation, Investment, Income, and Impact to build enterprises and industries.
3. To realign academic excellence, skilling, and capacity building to meet industry requirements.
4. To promote product and process development, commercialisation, and IP monetisation.
5. To leverage breakthrough biotechnology innovations and knowledge for the socio-economic development of the State.
