Bhubaneswar, May 20: The Odisha government has announced a major restructuring of the state cabinet framework, introducing new protocols to streamline ministerial decision-making.

The Parliamentary Affairs Department has issued a directive outlining these reforms, which aim to enhance governance efficiency and increase ministerial oversight in policy execution.

Powers of Secretaries in the Cabinet Meetings have been curtailed, while ministers were accorded more authority, the notification issued read.

According to the new guidelines:
- Cabinet meeting dates will be finalised five days in advance.
- All policy proposals must be finalised three days before cabinet discussions.
- Ministers will receive proposal files two days ahead of the meeting for review.
- No proposal can be presented in the cabinet without the Chief Minister’s approval.
- Departmental secretaries cannot attend cabinet meetings without prior authorization.
- Ministers are now fully responsible for the immediate implementation of approved proposals.

Additionally, departmental secretaries will now review cabinet agenda items in a separate room, rather than being directly present in cabinet meetings. The Chief Secretary and Development Commissioner will be the only senior officials permitted to attend the deliberations.

The restructuring was first implemented during the May 14 cabinet meeting, following directives issued on May 8. While BJP leaders view the move as a step towards more efficient governance, opposition figures continue to question the necessity of these changes.

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