THEBUSINESSBYTES BUREAU

BHUBANESWAR, JULY 1, 2026

In a major policy push aimed at strengthening education, digital governance, food security, power infrastructure and the Blue Economy, the Odisha Cabinet on Wednesday approved 12 significant proposals across eight departments, including a landmark decision to provide free education from Kindergarten to Postgraduate level and establish a next-generation State Data Centre at an investment of ₹268.44 crore.

The 42nd Cabinet meeting, chaired by Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi at Lok Seva Bhavan, cleared a series of transformative initiatives designed to accelerate inclusive growth, modernise public services and improve citizens' quality of life. While the Chief Minister briefed the media on the flagship education proposal, Chief Secretary Anu Garg outlined the remaining Cabinet decisions.

The approved proposals cover the Higher Education, Fisheries and Animal Resources Development, Electronics and Information Technology, Food Supplies and Consumer Welfare, Works, Water Resources, School and Mass Education, and Revenue and Disaster Management departments.

Odisha to Build State-of-the-Art Data Centre

In a major boost to digital governance, the Cabinet approved the establishment of the Odisha State Data Centre 2.0 (OSDC 2.0), a Tier-III compliant, secure and fully state-owned digital infrastructure that will replace the existing data centre operational since 2011.

The present facility hosts more than 600 government applications across 39 departments but is nearing the end of its operational life. OSDC 2.0 will provide a scalable and high-availability platform capable of meeting the state's growing digital governance requirements.

The project includes migration of all existing government applications, strengthened cyber security architecture and a modern Disaster Recovery facility to ensure uninterrupted delivery of public services. It will also adopt green and energy-efficient technologies.

The Cabinet approved an outlay of ₹268.44 crore, covering establishment as well as operation and maintenance for five years. The project is expected to lay the digital foundation for Odisha's governance needs over the next decade.

Free Education from KG to PG

In one of its most ambitious social sector decisions, the Cabinet approved the "Gyanodaya – Shiksharu Samruddhi" scheme, fulfilling the government's commitment to provide free education from Kindergarten to Postgraduate level.

Beginning with the academic session 2026-27, students enrolled in regular courses in Government and Government-Aided institutions will receive a complete waiver of admission fees.

The scheme covers students of Classes IX to XII in Government and aided schools as well as Undergraduate and Postgraduate courses in State Public Universities, Government Colleges and Government-Aided Colleges. Since education from KG to Class VIII is already free, Odisha will now provide free education throughout the academic journey from KG to PG.

More than 32 lakh students are expected to benefit annually. The government estimates an expenditure of ₹895.57 crore in the first year and ₹5,467.55 crore over five years, making it one of the largest investments in the state's education sector.

The scheme excludes self-financing courses, unaided institutions, PPP-mode institutions and professional or technical programmes. It aligns with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, Odisha Vision 2036 and Vision 2047.

Private Fair Price Shop Dealers Get Extension

To ensure uninterrupted distribution of subsidised food grains, the Cabinet approved an amendment extending the tenure of private dealers operating Fair Price Shops (FPS) under the Public Distribution System (PDS) till September 30, 2026.

The government said immediate replacement of all private dealers could disrupt food distribution and create administrative difficulties.

Odisha currently has 12,349 Fair Price Shops, including 5,472 managed by private dealers, besides Gram Panchayats, Self Help Groups and cooperative societies. The earlier provision facilitating gradual replacement of private dealers with institutional operators had expired on March 31, 2026.

Big Push for Power Infrastructure

The Cabinet also approved leasing up to 200 acres of government land to the Odisha Power Transmission Corporation Ltd (OPTCL) for establishing 765 kV Grid Sub-stations at concessional premium rates under the Industrial Policy Resolutions (IPRs).

The decision addresses the rapidly growing demand for electricity driven by industrialisation, urbanisation and increasing domestic consumption.

Chief Secretary Anu Garg said the decision would help OPTCL complete high-capacity transmission projects on schedule and ensure reliable power supply across Odisha.

While concessional land provisions already existed for 400 kV, 220 kV and 132 kV substations, no such policy earlier covered 765 kV infrastructure.

Inland Shrimp Farming Gets Regulatory Framework

The Cabinet approved a comprehensive regulatory framework and operational guidelines for scientific cultivation of SPF Litopenaeus vannamei (white leg shrimp) and other brackish-water species in inland saline areas located beyond the jurisdiction of the Coastal Aquaculture Authority.

The framework provides for online registration, scientific site selection, strict biosecurity measures, disease surveillance, water-quality monitoring and mandatory Effluent Treatment Systems (ETS), while promoting cluster-based aquaculture with shared infrastructure.

The initiative forms a key component of the proposed Odisha Shrimp Mission under the state's Blue Economy strategy.

By 2036, Odisha aims to bring an additional 25,000 hectares under shrimp farming, increase annual shrimp production from 1.6 lakh metric tonnes to 9 lakh metric tonnes, raise seafood exports from ₹5,429 crore to ₹15,000 crore, and generate nearly 2.5 lakh livelihoods.

The state also aims to emerge as one of India's leading shrimp-producing and exporting states by 2047 through environmentally sustainable aquaculture practices.