Briefing the media, Ministers Ranendra Pratap Swain and Sudam Marandi and Chief Secretary Pradeep Kumar Jena said total 16 proposals from 13 departments were approved in the Cabinet meeting, chaired by Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik.

The ministers said in order to ensure hassle-free and smooth implementation of this KALIA scheme and bring the farmers into the financial mainstream of the society, the Cabinet approved the budget.

The Cabinet also approved the proposal to change the release dates of KALIA assistance. The government had earlier decided to provide the financial assistance to the KALIA beneficiaries twice in a year before the cropping seasons. It was given from April 1 for Kharif season and from September 1 for Rabi season.

Besides, the Cabinet approved to provide Rs 2,000 as one-time additional financial support/assistance to eligible landless agricultural households under the scheme. The government is already paying Rs 12,500 in 3 instalments to take up livestock and horticultural crop-based activities to the beneficiaries.

Besides, amendment of the Odisha Semiconductor Manufacturing and Fabless Policy-2023 was approved to attract investors for setting up units to manufacture Semiconductor/EIectronic Chips and fabless design of the products.

Under the revised provisions, mega projects exceeding Rs 500 crore in investment can now effortlessly access an upper limit of Rs 25 crore per annum for a 7 years towards interest subsidy, as the previous 5% capping for interest
subvention has been eliminated. Additionally, such mega projects are entitled to reimbursement of R&D expenditures upto Rs 2 crore annually for 10 years.

As for the Production Linked Incentive (PLI), all units are now eligible to apply for the incentive for a continuous period of 5 years within the 7-year period following the commencement of production. In terms of skill development, eligible units will receive reimbursement of upto Rs 2 crore per annum for 5 years to facilitate the
training of their employees engaged in core operations.

Following are other major proposals approved by the Cabinet:

>>Development of Ro-Pax Jetty and allied infrastructures project connecting Kaninali in Bhadrak district and
Talachua in Kendrapada district under Sagarmala Programme with a cost of Rs 146.39 crore

>>The budget for Nua-O, a youth empowerment initiative, revised to Rs 315 crore

>>Amendment of the Odisha Sub-ordinate Finance Service (Commercial Tax Branch) Recruitment and Conditions of Service Rules,1988.

>>The prescribed syllabus for the departmental examination required to be passed by the Assistant Commercial Tax and GST Officers will be amended to incorporate “The Odisha Goods and Services Tax Act, 2017 and rules made thereunder” in order to enhance the working knowledge of the officers under the GST regime.

>>The nomenclature of “Commissioner of Commercial Taxes and GST, Odisha” is proposed to be amended to “Chief Commissioner of Commercial Taxes and GST, Odisha” (if in the rank of Principal Secretary to Government).
Extension of grant-in-aid at revised scale in line with 7th Pay Commission to institutions for eligible employees covered under Odisha (Non-Government Colleges, Junior Colleges and Higher Secondary Schools) Grant-in-Aid in the shape of Block Grant Order, 2014. It will have additional annual financial implication of Rs 27.37 crore.

>>Recently released Hindi movies “12th Fail” made entertainment tax free

>>Allotment to 515 eligible displaced families of East Pakistan and Burma Repatriates with DP Tenements free of cost, upto 4 tenements per family. These displaced persons have settled at Sunabeda in Koraput district from 1964. Now they will have a permanent title and ownership over the land and structures existing over such land.

Principal Secy, PR & DW & Excise Sushil Kumar Lohani, Principal Secy Arabinda Kumar Padhee, Secy, Aswathi S, Secy Arabinda Agrawal were also present at the press meet.

The Cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik gave its nod to the proposal of the Revenue and Disaster Management Department to amend the Odisha Government Land Settlement Rules, 1983 to reduce the conversion fee.

The conversion fee of land for residential purposes has been reduced from the existing 10 % of the prevailing market value of the land to 3% of the valuation of land fixed under the guidelines prescribed under the Odisha Stamp Rules, 1952 for a Gharabari kisam of land situated in the vicinity.

Briefing reporters after the Cabinet meeting, Chief Secretary P K Jena said the proposed amendment shall reduce the financial burden on OSHB and the Development Authorities for conversion of leasehold land into freehold. The benefit will ultimately pass on to the persons who have purchased land from the OSHB or the Development Authority, as the case may be, for residential purposes.

The proposal entails a reduction in the conversion fee for conversion of leasehold land of Odisha State Housing Board or CDA and BDA for residential purposes into freehold from the existing 10 percent of the prevailing market value of the land to 3 percent of the valuation of land fixed under the guidelines prescribed under the Odisha Stamp Rules-1952 for a gharabari kisam of land situated in the vicinity.

This apart, a proposal to expand the Koraput coffee plantation to 1 lakh hectares from the existing 10,000 hectares was approved. The scheme ‘Coffee Plantation for Sustainable Livelihoods (CPSL) will be implemented in Koraput, Rayagada, Kalahandi, Kandhamal, Keonjhar and Gajapati where women SHGs will be engaged in coffee nurseries. Over 50,000 farm families will benefit from the scheme.

The proposal envisages an expenditure of Rs. 1144.00 crore from 2022-23 to 2026-27. Rs. 567.00 crore will be netted through State Plan and Rs. 577.00 will be met through convergence with other schemes.

The Cabinet also approved a proposal for setting up of a working women’s hostel at Deras in Khurda district. The turnkey tender for the construction of a 6952-bedded working women’s hostel at seafood park Deras, Khurda with a cost of Rs 329.00 crore was approved.

It also approved the Odisha Procurement Preference Policy for Micro and Small Manufacturing Enterprises 2023. The new policy will boost business activity of small manufacturing enterprises by preferential procurement of their manufactured goods by state government establishments.

The Cabinet meeting was held in the conference hall of Lok Seva Bhawan under the Chairmanship of Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik.

After the meeting, Science and Technology Minister Ashok Chandra Panda and Chief Secretary Pradeep Kumar Jena told reporters that 14 agenda items related to 12 departments were approved in the Cabinet.

Out of 15 agenda items presented, 14 proposals were approved and one remained for further discussion, they said.

In a major decision that promises to significantly boost the industrial and economic landscape of the state, the Cabinet approved a special incentive package for the JSW group’s ambitious Electric Vehicle and component manufacturing projects at Naraj in Cuttack and Paradip in Jagatsinghpur district, they said.

These projects, with a combined investment of over Rs 40,000 crore and employment potential of over 11,000, are set to usher in a new era of industrial growth and job creation in the state.

The JSW Group has proposed to set up an EV and EV battery manufacturing project at Naraj with capacity of 50 GWH . It will be the world’s largest single location project in the sector. The company is also planning to set up an OEM Plant for EVs and components in teh same facility in two phases. In these two phases, JSW plans to invest Rs 25,000 crore in the state, generating employment for more than 4000 people.

This apart, JSW plans to set up EV components manufacturing complex comprising Copper smelter along with Lithium Smelter in Paradip in third phaseof its footprint in this new age sector. In this phase, the company plans to invest Rs 15,000 crore in the state, generating employment for more than 7000 people.

Inclusion of the “Mundari” language in the 8th schedule will benefit the Munda and Mundari tribes of the state, Chief Secretary P K Jena told reporters after the cabinet meeting held under the chairmanship of Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik.

It will be helpful in the preservation and promotion of the Mundari language and culture. The trend of shifting to other languages by the Mundari-speaking people will be regulated. It will also stimulate literary activity.

More literary activities like the publication of different categories of books will get momentum. The indigenous knowledge and practices of Mundari Mundari-speaking population will be preserved. The move will help open a new window for research and studies anchored around the preservation and promotion of the language.

The cabinet decision to recommend the inclusion of Mundari language in the 8th schedule of the Constitution will have no financial implication.

On the decision about raiyati rights, they said the sub-tenants /under-raiyats/ successor-in-interests who are in possession of agriculture land and homestead land recorded as Sikkim in RoR may make application before the Revenue Officer within two years from the commencement of the Odisha Land Reforms Act, 2023.

It may also be extended by the government from time to time, for declaration of raiyati rights over such homestead and agricultural land recorded as Sikkim.

This period of making an application in this regard has not been extended since 1977. While making an order Revenue Officer shall determine the compensation amount at the rate of Rs 14, 200 only per standard acre to be paid by the sub-tenants /under-raiyats/ successor-in-interests to the land owners.

The government may revise the compensation amount from time to time.

The Cabinet also recommended the proposal for Inclusion of ‘Mundari’ language in the 8-Schedule of Constitution of India.

The scheme will be implemented in all the 30 districts and skilling, reskilling and up-skilling opportunities will be provided through skilling institutions of the SD & TE Department (ITI, Polytechnic), government skilling institutions, educational institutions and clusters (MSME, agriculture, craft). While addressing scarcity of skilled human resources in emerging trades, it will help to bridge the skill-gap in utilization of new-age technologies in traditional sectors like handicraft, handloom and agriculture.

“The establishment of state-of-the-art training centres, well-equipped labs, and a strong skilling ecosystem will further facilitate strengthening the Skilled-in-Odisha brand. As envisaged in the Budget 2023-24, NUA Odisha reflects the commitment of the government to ensure transformation of human lives through skilling leading to economic empowerment,” an official release said.

The Cabinet also gave the go-ahead to the scheme to open ‘CSP Plus’ banking outlet in coordination with six public sector banks – State Bank of India, Punjab National Bank, UCO Bank, Union Bank of India, Bank of Baroda & Bank of India – in 4373 unbanked Gram Panchayats of the state with budgetary support of around Rs 500 crore to ensure timely direct benefit transfer.

The scheme will be implemented in a phased manner to cover all 4373 unbanked GPs within the current financial year 2023-24. The state government will provide rent-free banking space for 5 years. Additionally, it will also bear onetime expenses for fixed cost & recurring expenses for a period of three years, it said.

This assume significance since banking penetration in the state is quite low. 65% of 6798 GPs don’t have brick & mortar branches.

An additional budget of Rs. 2687.4587 crore was approved for a special programme for developing and creating awareness for millets.

To mitigate the drinking water problem, the Cabinet also approved the lowest tender of The Indian Hume Pipe Co Ltd Mumbai, amounting to Rs 639,16,28,812, for execution of 4 Mega Piped Water Supply Projects, which will be completed within a period of 24 months and benefit around 4,60,612 people of 498 villages under 92 GPs of seven blocks of Puri district, the release added.

THE OTHER DECISIONS

Odisha Subordinate Fisheries Service (Recruitment and Conditions of Service) Amendment Rules, 2023

The proposed amendment intends to exclude viva voce/interview and to fix certain percentage – 50% for Diploma in Agro Polytechnic in Fisheries Science, 25% for Plus II Vocational (Fisheries) and 25% for Plus II Science, which will improve competitiveness in the process of recruitment of Junior Fisheries Technical Assistant, Group-C conducted by the Odisha Staff Selection Commission.

Odisha Public Private Partnership (PPP) Policy 2023

Formulated by Directorate of PPP, Finance Department, it will further accelerating the growth of PPPs in the state. The policy aims for an optimum balance between private sector risk and rewards. The fundamental benefit of the policy is to provide value for money to the state, resulting in better and affordable services in the long term.

Odisha Sub-ordinate Staff Selection Commission (Preservation and Destruction of Records) Rules, 2023.

This will help create more space for the examination papers and other related documents for ensuing examinations conducted by Odisha Sub-ordinate Staff Selection Commission.

Amendment to Odisha Sub-ordinate Staff Selection Commission (Method of Recruitment and Conditions of Service of the Chairman and Members) Rules, 2012.

The amendment will enable enhancement of upper age limit from 62 years to 65 years, increase in pay, no additional pension, maximum gratuity limited to Rs 20 lakh considering both services rendered in the Commission and previous services, subscription of GPF or CPF till the age of superannuation in the previous service and LTC as admissible to All India Service Officers for the Chairman and Members of Odisha Sub-ordinate Staff Selection Commission.

Amendment to Odisha Government Rules of Business

Two new subjects — Energy Transition and Green Hydrogen — have been allocated to Energy Department to coordinate the efforts of various Departments for adoption of renewable energy and use of green hydrogen.

Amendment to Odisha Public Service Commission (Conditions of Service) Regulations, 1952.

The amendment will enable increase in pay, no additional pension, limiting the gratuity maximum up to Rs 20 lakh considering both the services rendered in the Commission and previous services, contribution to NPS, subscription to GPF/CPF till attaining the age of superannuation in the previous service for the Chairman and Members of OPSC.

Restructuring of Odisha Industries Service (OIS), Industries Promotion Officer (IPO) and Industrial Supervisor (IS) cadres of MSME Department

No recruitmen will be done in IPO and IS cadres, which are proposed to be declared as dying cadres. The incumbent IPOs and ISs will, however, continue to get all service benefits as per existing rules.

The post of Assistant Industries Officer of Group-B is proposed to be the entry level post of OIS cadre, which will be filled up partly by direct recruitment and partly by selection from eligible IPOs and ISs. Degree in any engineering discipline will be the minimum qualification required for the direct recruitment to this post. The total sanctioned strength of OIS cadre has also been enhanced from 108 to 553 by creating 445 new posts in all ranks from Level 10 to 15 of scale of pay.

Amendment to Odisha Government Land Settlement (OGLS) Rules, 1983

The amendment will simplify the manner of settlement of Khasmahal, Nazul, Gramakantha Paramboke and Abadi categories of lands with persons in lawful occupation of such lands and also to make provision for conversion of lease hold land of Odisha State Housing Board and Development Authorities into free hold as well as settlement of government land directly on free hold basis in their favour for development of housing or residential projects. The amended provisions will be implemented after publication of the OGLS (Amendment) Rules 2023 in the official Gazette.

The Cabinet also approved construction of distribution system for 3745 hectre of cultivable command area of Kusumi Smart Irrigation Project over Kusumi river at Sunalati Krushnaprasad in Nayagarh block through underground pipeline irrigation system in Engineering, Procurement and Construction ( EPC ) mode.

The proposal to write off arrear tax cases between Rs 5001 to Rs 25,000 in each case relating to the OST Act, OAST Act, CST Act, Odisha Entertainment Tax Act and OVAT Act except for petrol, diesel, ATF, natural gas, petroleum crude oil and liquor for human consumption, also go the go-ahead.

“There are 59,243 arrear tax cases with revenue implication of Rs.8156.72 crore. Among these, 27,546 arrear tax cases are between Rs 5001.00 to Rs 25,000.00, totalling to Rs.32,73,97,876.00. If considered to be written off, it will reduce 46% of arrear cases with a sacrifice of arrear revenue of 0.4%,” the release said.

Arrear tax revenue under the Odisha Entry Tax Act and the Odisha State Tax on Profession, Trade and Calling and Employment Act, 2000 will not be written off, it added.

Yeasterday “Cabinet Meeting’ was held in the 3rd Floor Conference Hall of Lok Seva Bhawan, Bhubaneswar under the Chairmanship of Odisha CM Naveen Patnaik. Ministers of the State Cabinet were present at the meeting.

After the meeting over, Ministers Tukuni Sahu, and Atanu Sabyasachi Nayak briefed the press about three key decisions taken in the cabinet related to Mission Shakti Scooter Yojana, approval of implementation of the new scheme. Construction of building for Vana Surakshya Samiti(VSS) and interest subsidy/ Subvention to the Co-operative Banks/ PAACS relates to crop loan respectively.

Thereafter, Chief Secretary Pradeep Kumar Jena briefed the press about the other 14 agenda items on which the decision was taken in the Cabinet meeting. A total of 17 proposals from 11 Departments were presented in the Cabinet Meeting and all have been approved.