Bhubaneswar, Jan 22: Odisha cabinet has approved 10 proposals in a meeting Wednesday, which includes the decision to launch Godabarish Mishra Adarsh Prathamik Vidyalaya (GMAPV) Scheme in every Panchayat in the state.

The cabinet has also given a nod to a proposal made by the Power department, while approved an amendment proposed by the Law department.

Education Sector

The state government has slammed the previous govt saying they had launched the 5T project. In the name of converting the govt schools into smart schools, they had launched the project without any plan, without DPR and without any estimate. It was clearly a cheating to the people of Odisha. What they did was only change the colour of the walls.

"Under the GMAPV scheme, 6794 rural villages will have their own smart school (one in every panchayat) with each smart school carrying a budget of Rs 4 to 5 crore depending on the number of enrollment of students," said Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi after the meeting.

CM Majhi also said that the government is determined to complete the project within four years. As many as 114 primary schools will become smart schools this fiscal year. The state government will spend close to Rs 12,000 crore over five years and with an aim to finish the works by 2028.

Demand from Finance Dept

CM Majhi informed that the 16th Finance Commission of India will visit Odisha, February 4-7. "We will present a State memorandum before the Finace Commission over various projects and it will include a demand of Rs 12,56,148 crore," stated the Chief Minister.

Additional Budget For Semiconductors

The state government has also approved additional budget to RIR Power Commission Limited for the manufacturing of semiconductors.

"Earlier they were getting 30 per cent of the total manufacturing cost. From now on, they will be given 20 per cent more financial aid," stated CM Majhi.

The state government will spend approximately Rs 110 crore for the said purpose.

Finacial Aid For Cold Storage

The Odisha govt has decided to provide financial assistance to cold storages in the state. The approved decision also includes the establishment of one cold storage in each of the 58 subdivisions.

The cabinet has also decided to provide 60 per cent subsidy in the capital investment as well as an additional assistance of Rs 6.5 crore in four slabs. The government will also provide subsidy on electricity.

In addition, concerned department will inspect the inactive cold storages across the state in a bid to make at least few of those active. For this purpose, the state Govt will provide a financial aid of Rs 1.5 crore.

'Vikasit Gaon, Vikasit Odisha' Scheme

In a bid to accelerate development of rural areas, the state cabinate has approved a new scheme -- 'Vikasit Gaon, Vikasit Odisha'.

An expenditure of Rs 1,000 crore has been sanctioned for the said purpose in the current fiscal year. The same budget will be demanded every year for the same in the next five years.

All the things, related to the development, will be decided by the 'Gram Sabha' (village meeting). The report will be then submitted before the District Collector for approval. The cabinet has approved a sum of Rs 5,000 crore for this.

Boost For Health Sector

The state cabinet has amended the Odisha Medical and Health Services Regulations. A decision has been taken to appoint 5,000 new doctors and 126 dentists in a bid to resolve the issue of the shortage of doctors in the state.

read more Odisha News