13th Employment Mela Programme 2025; 591 candidates appointed Across three departments

Bhubaneswar(By Abhishek Mohanty): “No matter which post you hold, always consider government service as a form of public service. After getting a government job, never show negligence in duty and always stay far away from corruption,” advised Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi while addressing the newly appointed candidates during the 13th Employment Mela 2025 held at the Agriculture Education Hall, OUAT, Bhubaneswar on Thursday.

On this occasion, the Chief Minister also inaugurated and laid foundation stones for various irrigation projects across the state.

In today’s employment mela, 232 candidates were appointed in the Water Resources Department, 197 candidates in the Works Department, and 142 candidates in the Housing and Urban Development Department as Assistant Executive Engineers (AEE). Additionally, 5 Finance & Accounts Officers and 15 Planning Assistants received their appointment letters.
For the first time, AEEs have been selected based on GATE scores through the Odisha Public Service Commission (OPSC) and appointed in three engineering departments.
In total, 591 candidates were appointed today.

Addressing the new recruits, the Chief Minister said that from June last year till date—within just 18 months—37,916 candidates have been appointed. Work is underway to fill another 30,000 posts within the next six months.
He reaffirmed the state government’s promise to fill all 1.5 lakh vacant posts within five years, including 65,000 posts within two years. He emphasized that if all officers work with honesty, remain free from corruption, and ensure the successful implementation of all welfare schemes, both society and the state will progress rapidly.

The CM further said that the role of AEEs is extremely important for successful implementation of development and welfare programmes under Vikashit Gaon and Vikashit Odisha. AEEs must effectively execute infrastructure projects and ensure better service delivery.
He added that Planning Assistants are essential in Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) for structured planning, organised urban development, and administrative functions, while Finance & Accounts Officers play a key role in financial management in ULBs.

CM Majhi stated that Odisha is entering a phase of massive infrastructure development, as the state budget has made unprecedented provisions for capital investment. For example, this year’s budget has allocated over Rs 65,000 crore for capital expenditure. With the addition of funds allocated in the supplementary budget, this amount rises to over Rs 68,000 crore.
Odisha currently spends the highest proportion of its GDP on capital investment—over 6.1%, which is nearly 22% of the entire state budget. A large number of engineers like those appointed today will be required for efficient utilisation of these funds. Strengthening irrigation infrastructure to boost agricultural productivity remains a key priority.

During the programme, the Chief Minister also launched “Mukhyamantri Adibandha Tiari Yojana 3.0,” sanctioned with a budget of Rs 2,738 crore. Under this scheme, 3,000 new check dams will be constructed and 2,000 old check dams will be renovated over the next five years, enabling irrigation facilities in around 48,000 hectares of land.

Under Adibandha Yojana, 101 check dams across 22 districts were inaugurated today at a cost of Rs 70.27 crore, benefiting 2,416 hectares of land.

In the first phase of Adibandha Yojana 3.0, foundation stones were laid today for 201 check dams across 15 districts. These will be built with an investment of Rs 160 crore, enabling irrigation in 5,342 hectares.

Along with this, several other important irrigation projects were launched.

Two lift irrigation projects in Mayurbhanj and Gajapati districts worth Rs 125 crore were inaugurated, benefiting 4,000 hectares of farmland and about 10,000 farmers.

Moreover, a groundwater irrigation system was inaugurated for 10,000 hectares of agricultural land in Balasore district, extending from a 14 km stretch of the Salandi Left Canal of Anandpur Barrage.

In Angul district (Angapada), the foundation stone was laid for a new minor irrigation project worth Rs 33 crore.
Similarly, six major lift irrigation projects worth Rs 355 crore were launched in Sambalpur district.
Further, foundation stones were laid for 28,302 lift irrigation projects across 20 districts, at an investment of Rs 1,515 crore.

The irrigation projects inaugurated today will provide irrigation facilities to 16,252 hectares, benefiting 64,000 farmers.
Those for which foundation stones were laid will provide irrigation to 1,55,360 hectares and benefit around 63,000 farmers.
In total, approximately 1,27,000 farmers will benefit from today’s projects.