What Key Proposals Did CM Mohan Majhi's Odisha Cabinet Approve?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Odisha Cabinet approved the Mukhyamantri Sahari Bikash Yojana targeting urban infrastructure.
- Rs 6,000 crore allocated over five years for MSBY.
- Focus on creating 50,000 projects and 5 lakh jobs.
- Development of Biotechnology scheme to foster innovation and collaboration.
- Significant budget allocation for both initiatives to boost the state's economy.
Bhubaneswar, June 6 (NationPress) The Odisha Cabinet convened on Friday to endorse numerous significant proposals, including the launch of a new initiative - Mukhyamantri Sahari Bikash Yojana (MSBY), focused on enhancing urban infrastructure across the state.
This decision was made during a Cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi.
The government intends to allocate a total of Rs 6,000 crore over five financial years from 2025-26 to 2029-30 for the successful execution of this scheme.
An amount of Rs 1,100 crore has been set aside in this year’s annual budget for the scheme's implementation during the current financial year 2025-26.
The funds will be utilized for the development of both general and revenue-generating infrastructure, including Kalyan Mandaps, Multi-Purpose halls, town halls, crematoriums, community centers, market complexes, roads, drains, parks, multi-utility commercial complexes, Vending Zones, Fish and Weekly Markets, Neighbourhood Marketplaces, parking areas, Mini cold storage, EV charging stations, and micro tourism facilities.
Additionally, the MSBY scheme will also focus on constructing miniparks, open-air gyms, children's play areas, walking tracks, playgrounds, open space developments, afforestation activities, Bhogamandaps & Bhagabat Tungis, rainwater harvesting structures, river waterfronts, water bodies, Kanjiahudas/Goshalas, and pet care centers.
The state government targets to implement 50,000 urban infrastructure projects over five years, creating wage employment for 5 lakh skilled and unskilled workers during this period. Furthermore, over 5,000 afforestation projects will be initiated to safeguard the environment and combat climate change.
In another pivotal decision, the state cabinet has approved the 'Development of Biotechnology' scheme, aimed at bolstering collaboration among industry, academic institutions, and research organizations to harness the potential of biotechnology across various sectors such as agriculture, medicine, industry, and environmental conservation.
“With the Odisha Biotechnology Policy 2024 in effect, this scheme will provide incentives for developing advanced infrastructure for product and service creation, positioning Odisha as a knowledge-driven bio-economy that significantly contributes to the state’s overall economic growth,” the government stated in an official press release.
According to the official announcement, this is an overarching scheme consisting of 17 sub-schemes/programs, with the goal of promoting higher education, research, and infrastructure development in promising areas of biotechnology, while building a supportive ecosystem for 5Is -- Innovation, Incubation, Investment, Income, and Impact to foster enterprises and industries, promote product/process development, commercialization, and IP monetization, and leverage groundbreaking biotechnology innovations for the socio-economic development of the state.
The 'Development of Biotechnology' scheme will be implemented over five years, beginning in the financial year 2025-26 to 2029-30, with an estimated cost of Rs 1,113.50 crore,