Bhubaneswar

The Odisha Cabinet approved a series of significant proposals, including a ₹393.62 crore scheme to provide free Wi-Fi to students in 601 government and aided colleges, removal of the attempt limit for eligible candidates appearing in the Odisha Civil Services (OCS) Examination and a procurement target of 53 lakh metric tonnes (LMT) of rice for the Kharif Marketing Season (KMS) 2026-27.

According to a post shared by the Chief Minister's Office (CMO), the Cabinet cleared several proposals aimed at strengthening governance, expanding opportunities, improving public services and accelerating the state's development.

The Odisha Cabinet, chaired by Hon’ble Chief Minister Shri Mohan Charan Majhi, approved a series of significant proposals aimed at strengthening governance, expanding opportunities, improving public services and accelerating the State’s development. ✅ Odisha Shikshanet - Free Wi-Fi for Colleges: A ₹393.62 crore scheme providing free Wi-Fi and up to 1 GB of daily data to students across 601 Government and aided colleges. ✅ Recruitment of Assistant Town Planners: Amendments to facilitate direct recruitment of 19 Assistant Town Planners through OPSC, with revised age and educational criteria. ✅ Training and Law Clerkship for Judicial Officers: One year of institutional training followed by one year of structured Law Clerkship for Trainee Judicial Officers. ✅ Restructuring of the Panchayat Executive Officers Cadre: A restructured cadre of 3,294 posts, creating enhanced career progression opportunities and strengthening grassroots administration. ✅ No Limit on Attempts in OCS Examination: Removal of the attempt limit for eligible candidates appearing in the Odisha Civil Services Examination. ✅ 600 MW Upper Indravati Pumped Storage Project: A ₹4,708.64 crore project at Ranibahal, Kalahandi, to strengthen energy storage and grid stability. ✅ Odisha Bovine Breeding (Regulation) Bill, 2026: A regulatory framework for scientific breeding, quality assurance and traceability of breeding services, with a focus on improved livestock productivity. ✅ Seven Mega Lift Irrigation Schemes in Nuapada: Seven schemes with an execution cost of ₹268.22 crore, creating irrigation potential across 8,800 hectares in 59 villages. ✅ In-stream Storage Project in Balangir: A ₹99.99 crore project near Patharla village to ensure water supply to 12 villages and support livelihoods. ✅ Extension of Institutional Dealer Replacement Period under PDS: Extension of the deadline for replacing institutional dealers with private dealers to 30 September 2027. ✅ Food and Paddy Procurement Policy for KMS 2026–27: A procurement target of 53 LMT of rice, equivalent to approximately 78 LMT of paddy, with farmers receiving ₹3,100 per quintal, including MSP and input assistance. ✅ Kursud In-stream Storage Project: An ₹81.36 crore project on the Indra river in Balangir district, benefiting 17 drought-prone villages across Titilagarh and Bangomunda blocks. #OdishaCabinet

— CMO Odisha (@CMO_Odisha) November 9, 2026

Under the Odisha Shikshanet scheme, the government will provide free Wi-Fi connectivity and up to 1 GB of daily data to students across 601 government and aided colleges. The scheme has been approved with an outlay of ₹393.62 crore.

The Cabinet also approved the removal of the limit on the number of attempts for eligible candidates appearing in the Odisha Civil Services Examination, providing them with greater opportunities to compete for state civil services.

In another decision concerning recruitment, amendments were approved to facilitate the direct recruitment of 19 Assistant Town Planners through the Odisha Public Service Commission (OPSC), with revised age and educational criteria.

The Cabinet further approved restructuring of the Panchayat Executive Officers cadre, creating a restructured cadre of 3,294 posts. The move is aimed at providing enhanced career progression opportunities and strengthening grassroots administration.

In the livestock sector, the Odisha Bovine Breeding (Regulation) Bill, 2026, was approved to establish a regulatory framework for scientific breeding, quality assurance and traceability of breeding services, with a focus on improving livestock productivity.

On irrigation and water management, the Cabinet approved seven mega lift irrigation schemes in Nuapada district with an execution cost of ₹268.22 crore. The projects are expected to create irrigation potential across 8,800 hectares covering 59 villages.

It also approved an in-stream storage project near Patharla village in Balangir district at an estimated cost of ₹99.99 crore. The project is intended to ensure water supply to 12 villages and support local livelihoods.

Additionally, the Kursud In-stream Storage Project on the Indra River in Balangir district was approved at a cost of ₹81.36 crore. It is expected to benefit 17 drought-prone villages across Titilagarh and Bangomunda blocks.

The Cabinet also approved the Food and Paddy Procurement Policy for KMS 2026-27, setting a procurement target of 53 LMT of rice, equivalent to approximately 78 LMT of paddy.

Under the policy, farmers will receive ₹3,100 per quintal, including the Minimum Support Price (MSP) and input assistance.

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The decisions cover education, public administration, recruitment, livestock development, irrigation and agricultural procurement, according to the CMO Odisha post.