Bhubaneswar: The Phase-II of the Odisha Skill Development Project (OSDP) and Tata Power Renewable Energy Limited’s integrated solar manufacturing facility were among the 11 proposals approved by the state Cabinet, headed by Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, here Friday.
The Cabinet approved Phase II of the OSDP with assistance from the Asian Development Bank.
To be implemented from 2025-26 to 2029-30 with a total outlay of Rs 1,140 crore, the project includes expansion of the World Skill Centre, establishment of three new advanced skill campuses, upgradation of five government ITIs into Utkarsh ITIs and strengthening of all 72 government ITIs.
Once fully operational, OSDP Phase-II is expected to benefit over 60,000 youth annually, with special focus on women, SC/ST communities, differently-abled and PVTGs.
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The CM-led Cabinet approved Tata Power Renewable Energy Limited’s integrated solar manufacturing facility at the Tata Special Economic Zone (SEZ).
The Rs 10,000-crore project will be developed in two phases with a capacity of 10 GW ingot-wafer and 5 GW solar cell manufacturing.
The project is expected to generate over 5,000 direct and indirect jobs, strengthen the upstream solar value chain, reduce import dependence and position Odisha as a key hub for manufacturing of renewable energy equipment.
The Cabinet also approved major irrigation investments, including a Rs 310.42-crore package under the Anandapur Barrage Project for underground pipeline-based irrigation covering 12,155.80 hectares in Balasore.
Another approval was accorded to works under the Parbati Giri Mega Lift Irrigation Scheme in Ganjam at a cost of Rs 190.37 crore, benefiting farmers in 85 villages and encouraging a shift towards cash crops through micro-irrigation.
Three key amendments to the Odisha Public Distribution System (Control) Order, 2016, were approved.
These include revision of income criteria to avoid wrongful exclusion of genuine beneficiaries, provisions to prevent misuse of PDS benefits in the names of deceased ration card holders with recovery mechanisms, and incorporation of periodic e-KYC, handling of inactive and duplicate ration cards in line with Central guidelines to improve transparency and efficiency.
The state Cabinet approved the Odisha Tourism (Amendment) Policy-2026, aimed to enhance investment competitiveness and promote sustainable tourism.
Key reforms include reduction of minimum investment thresholds for hotels, rationalisation of capital investment subsidies, expansion of Special Tourism Zones, higher incentives for women, SC/ST and differently-abled entrepreneurs, and targeted support for emerging segments such as MICE, destination weddings, electric mobility tourism and promotion of authentic Odia cuisine in and outside the state.