Odisha Government Meeting on April 24, 2025: Key Decisions and Bills Passed
On April 24, 2025, the Odisha Cabinet, chaired by Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, held its 17th meeting and approved six major proposals aimed at governance reforms, infrastructure development, and public welfare. Below are the details of the decisions taken:
1. Amendment to Odisha Excise Rules, 2017
The cabinet approved amendments to Rule 79 of the Odisha Excise Rules, 2017, which regulates operations in distilleries, bottling units, and breweries. This aims to streamline production processes and enhance compliance in the state’s excise sector.
2. Recruitment Rules for Excise Constables
The Odisha Lower Excise Service (Method of Recruitment and Conditions of Service of Excise Constables) Amendment Rules, 2025 were approved. The restructuring shifts the cadre system from divisional to district-level management, ensuring better administrative efficiency.
3. Emergency Medical Ambulance Services (EMAS) Scheme
A ₹2,398 crore allocation was approved for the Emergency Medical Ambulance Services (2023–24 to 2027–28) under the IPTHHS-Phase II. This includes deploying 866 ambulances to improve emergency healthcare access across the state.
4. Irrigation Infrastructure Development
The cabinet greenlit the construction of underground pipeline irrigation systems for the Baitarani Left Bank Canal (BLBC) and Baitarani Right Bank Canal (BRBC) in Keonjhar district. This ₹108 crore project will irrigate 3,450 hectares of farmland, benefiting agricultural productivity.
5. Restructuring of Welfare Cadres
The Odisha Welfare Service and Odisha Subordinate Welfare Service cadres were restructured to optimize resource allocation for marginalized communities. Additionally, 24 new posts were created to strengthen implementation.
6. Revision of Anganwadi Worker Qualifications
The minimum educational qualification for Anganwadi workers was revised from Matriculation to Graduation, aligning with technological advancements in childcare and education programs.
Additional Key Decisions on April 24, 2025
- Uniform Allowance Hike for Police: The annual uniform allowance for Odisha Police personnel was doubled, with inspectors receiving ₹8,600 and sub-inspectors ₹8,400. Over 16,000 new police positions were also announced.
- Renewable Energy Projects: Seven renewable energy projects worth ₹1,191.47 crore (solar, wind, and battery storage) were approved under the Renewable Energy Policy-2022.
- Vision 2036 Document: The cabinet discussed finalizing the Odisha Vision 2036 and 2047 document within 15 days, outlining long-term development goals for the state’s centenary celebrations.
Context and Impact
These decisions reflect the BJP-led government’s focus on infrastructure modernization, public health, and administrative efficiency. The emphasis on irrigation aligns with agricultural growth, while the welfare cadre restructuring aims to enhance social equity. The Vision 2036 document signals strategic planning for Odisha’s future development.
For further details, refer to official sources or the linked articles.
