Odisha Cabinet Approves BOITA, BASUDHA Schemes

Bhubaneswar, Sept 7: The Odisha Cabinet, chaired by Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, on Monday approved two major welfare and infrastructure schemes — BOITA for conservation of historic irrigation projects and tourism development, and a revised BASUDHA scheme to provide safe drinking water to vulnerable rural habitations. These approvals formed part of 18 proposals cleared across 12 departments during the Cabinet’s 47th meeting at Lok Seva Bhawan.

Key Approvals

Chief Secretary Anu Garg briefed the media, noting that the Cabinet’s decisions reflected a balance of heritage preservation, welfare, and infrastructure expansion. The BOITA scheme will focus on protecting ancient irrigation structures while creating tourism facilities, while the BASUDHA scheme (2026–29) will ensure potable water supply to rural households.

Agriculture and Cadre Restructuring

The Cabinet approved restructuring of the Odisha Agriculture Service Cadre and Odisha Soil Conservation Service Cadre. The Horticulture Service Cadre was expanded from 403 to 470 posts to strengthen agricultural extension services.

Legislative and Administrative Measures

The Cabinet cleared the Odisha Jan Vishwas Bill, 2026, involving amendments to 16 laws, and approved changes to the Pension Rules, 1992. It also sanctioned the Odisha Ministerial Service Rules, 2026, governing recruitment and promotion of District Industries Centre staff.

Infrastructure Push

A five-year plan to install 1.5 lakh deep borewells across 256 blocks in 26 districts was approved, creating irrigation potential for 7.5 lakh hectares. Road widening and improvement projects were sanctioned for SH-5, SH-6, and MDR-48B routes.

Education and Energy

The Panchasakha Shiksha Setu Yojana was approved for implementation between December 2024 and March 2029. The Cabinet also cleared amendments to the Odisha Uniformed Service Selection Commission Rules, 2026, to conduct Combined Recruitment Examinations.

For the first time, Odisha will establish a 765 KV transmission network, strengthening and modernising the state’s power infrastructure.