THEBUSINESSBYTES
BUREAU
BHUBANESWAR, AUGUST 1, 2026
The Odisha State Cabinet, chaired by Chief
Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, on Saturday approved a series of key policy
decisions aimed at accelerating agricultural mechanisation, strengthening
tribal livelihoods and reforming the State's legal services framework.
Among the major decisions, the Cabinet approved
the extension of the State Sector Scheme, "Popularisation of Agricultural
Implements, Equipment and Diesel Pump Sets, etc.", for another five years
from 2026-27 to 2030-31 with an outlay of ₹2,200 crore.
The scheme seeks to promote farm mechanisation
by providing subsidies for modern agricultural machinery, including tractors,
power tillers, rotavators, combine harvesters and other farm and post-harvest
equipment. During its previous implementation period (2021-22 to 2025-26), the
scheme benefited 2.54 lakh farmers across Odisha. The extended programme is
expected to cover 3.79 lakh farmers, enhancing productivity, reducing labour
drudgery and promoting sustainable agriculture.
In another significant decision, the Cabinet
approved the implementation of Mukhya Mantri Janajati Jeevika Mission (MMJJM)
2.0, a flagship tribal livelihood programme, with a financial outlay of ₹2,995
crore for the period 2026-27 to 2030-31.
The fully State-funded programme will cover 8
lakh tribal and Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Group (PVTG) households across
19 districts, including all PVTG families. The mission aims to enhance
household incomes by promoting farm, off-farm and non-farm livelihood
opportunities, strengthening community institutions, encouraging
entrepreneurship and improving value addition and market linkages.
Each beneficiary household will receive ₹30,000
through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) in two instalments for livelihood
activities of their choice. The programme also provides special interventions
for PVTGs, including nutritional support for children, pregnant and lactating women, crèche facilities
and a dedicated ₹500-crore Flexi Fund to address infrastructure
gaps in PVTG habitations through a bottom-up planning approach.
The Cabinet also approved the Odisha State
Legal Service (OSLS) Cadre Rules, 2026, following the transfer of the Odisha
State Legal Service Cadre from the Home Department to the Law Department.
The new rules establish a comprehensive
framework for recruitment, promotion, seniority and service conditions of Law
Officers, while designating the Law Department as the Cadre Controlling
Authority. The move is intended to strengthen institutional mechanisms for
handling government litigation, improve inter-departmental coordination and
ensure more effective implementation of the State Litigation Policy.
