Odisha Cabinet approves Baraputra Aitihya Yojana
Bhubaneswar(By Abhishek Mohanty): The Odisha Cabinet meeting, chaired by Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, has approved 10 proposals from 7 departments.
Chief Secretary Manoj Ahuja informed that the Cabinet has given its approval to the Baraputra Heritage Village Scheme (Baraputra Aitihya Yojana).
Under this scheme, statues and museums will be built in the native villages of eminent sons of the soil (Baraputras).
In the first phase, the scheme will be launched in the villages of 26 Baraputras.
An amount of Rs 15 crore has been approved for each Baraputra Heritage Village.
Additionally, five ITIs in the state will be upgraded to Centres of Excellence ITIs.
The State Cabinet also approved the UTKARSH ITI Yojana (Scheme for Upgradation of ITIs as Zonal ITIs).
Under the Utkarsh ITI Scheme, a plan has been made to upgrade ITIs as Zonal IIIs, under this scheme ITIs are going to be remain competitive and ensure inclusive growth, Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) systems must evolve to deliver future-ready skills aligned with emerging industry needs with robust skilling ecosystem. It is now proposed to upgrade five existing Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs) into UTKARSH ITIS.
The proposed scheme aims to upgrade five Government ITIs- Government Puri, Government ITI Balangir, Government ITI Ambaguda, Koraput Government Rajkanika, Kendrapada and Government ITI Rourkela, Sundargarh as UTKARSH ITIS with industry-ready Infrastructure with modern labs, smart classrooms, digital learning spaces. Renovated infrastructure are to be developed in these ITIs.
These ITIs are to be functioned as zonal hubs for advanced training, faculty development, assessments, and innovation.
Entrepreneurship Promotion and Placement Cells to support self-employment and job placements are to be improved.
The "Parbati Giri Mega Lift Irrigation Scheme" was formulated with an outlay of Rs.10,759.20 crore to provide supplemental kharif irrigation in the upland ayacut of about 2,63,801 Hectare across the state by lifting available surplus water from rivers/reservoirs and canals which couldn't be irrigated earlier through normal mode of flow irrigation due to its geographical positioning.
The present work is proposed for execution of 04 Lift Irrigation Schemes in Cluster No.XXXII with an objective to create an additional irrigation potential of about 6,480 Hectare in the district of Jharsuguda by lifting water from IB River, Hirakud Reservoir & Bheden River (Confluence point of Bheden & IB) through intake system and subsequent flow through pressurized distribution system along with operation & maintenance of complete commissioned schemes for fifteen years.
The Cabinet gave its approval to the tender for the above work for an execution cost of Rs. 167,33,95,087.59 (Rupees One Hundred Sixty-Seven Crore Thirty-Three Lakh Ninety-Five Thousand & Eighty-Seven and Fifty-Nine Paise) only (without GST) and O&M cost for fifteen years amounting to Rs. 13,38,71,607.01 (Rupees Thirteen Crore Thirty-Eight Lakh Seventy-One Thousand Six Hundred Seven and One Paisa) only (without GST). The work is planned to be completed in thirty-six months.
The farmers of One hundred one villages of Jharsuguda district will be benefited on completion of this project and they will be encouraged to shift from high duty paddy crops to cash crops due to its micro irrigation compatibility. The project will also improve the socio-economic condition of the upland farmers.
The Cabinet also took a decision to construct Under Ground Pipeline Irrigation System for 5000 Hectare of CCA to the command area of Sandul Barrage Project in the Kalahandi District of Odisha on EPC-Turnkey Basis & Operation & Maintenance of complete commissioned system for five (5) years".
The objective of the present proposal is to construct Under Ground Pipe Line Irrigation System for 5000 Hectare of CCA to the command area of Sandul Barrage Project in Kalahandi District.
Cabinet approved the tender for the above work for an execution cost amounting to Rs.154,72,91,620.29 (Rupees One hundred fifty-four crore seventy-two lakh ninety-one thousand six hundred twenty and twenty-nine paisa) (without GST) only and O & M cost for five years amounting to Rs.7,73,64,581.01 (Rupees Seven crore seventy-threo lakh sixty-four thousand five hundred eighty-one and one paisa) only (Without GST). The work is planned to be completed in thirty calendar months.
This will provide assured kharif irrigation to 1887 Hectare of CCA in Karlamunda Block, 409 Hectare of CCA In Narla Block, 2704 Hectare of CCA in Kesinga Block, where agricultural yield completely depends on the natural rainfall, which is inadequate, untimely and unevenly distributed.
Moreover, the State Cabinet approved the proposal of promulgation of an Ordinance for Uniform Reservation for Teachers' Recruitment across Public Universities of the state.
It has been decided to introduce the Odisha State Public Universities (Reservation in Teachers' Cadre) Ordinance, 2025, which aims at establishing a uniform reservation framework for direct recruitment of teachers in all State Public Universities of Odisha.
The Ordinance proposes treating university as a single unit for implementing reservation in the recruitment of Professors, Associate Professors, and Assistant Professors. This will replace the current department-wise reservation system and ensure a more consistent and equitable process.
A post-based roster will be maintained for each cadre, ensuring clarity and uniform application of reservation policies across universities.
The reform is expected to enhance representation of SC, ST, SEBC, and other eligible groups, simplify administrative procedures, and align Odisha's universities with nationally accepted practices in faculty recruitment.
The Ordinance underscores the state government's commitment to promote fairness, transparency, and social justice in higher education.
