Chief Secretary Manoj Ahuja briefed the media on the outcomes, highlighting the strategic importance of the approved measures.Below is a detailed overview of the key decisions:
Strengthening Judicial Staff ServicesIn response to the enactment of new criminal laws—the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023, and Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam, 2023—the Cabinet approved amendments to the Orissa District and Civil Courts’ Judicial Staff Services Rules, 2008. These changes aim to enhance the legal acumen and efficiency of subordinate judicial staff, ensuring smoother court operations and faster case disposal.
2. Amending Odisha Law Officers Rules, 1971To address the shortage of law officers in the Odisha State Prosecution Service (OSPS) and reduce the backlog of pending cases, the Cabinet approved amendments to the Odisha Law Officers Rules, 1971. The revised rules, last updated in March 2024, will facilitate the appointment of additional law officers to represent the state in legal proceedings, promoting prompt justice delivery.
3. Amendments to Odisha GST Act, 2017The Cabinet greenlit amendments to the Odisha Goods and Services Tax Act, 2017, to simplify tax provisions and curb evasion. Key changes include clarifying input tax credit eligibility for “Plant and Machinery,” introducing a track-and-trace mechanism for evasion-prone sectors like pan masala and sand mining, and mandating proportional reversal of input tax credit for credit notes. The amendments also allow greater flexibility in filing returns, define terms like “local fund” and “municipal fund,” and introduce a 10% pre-deposit requirement for penalty-related appeals.
4. Extension of Mukhyamantri Adibandha Tiyari Yojana (MATY)-3.0The Water Resources Department’s proposal to extend the Mukhyamantri Adibandha Tiyari Yojana (MATY)-3.0 for five years (2025-26 to 2029-30) was approved with an outlay of Rs. 2,738 crore. The scheme will involve constructing 3,313 new check dams and improving 3,529 existing ones, creating 57,525 hectares of new irrigation potential and restoring 41,713 hectares of existing capacity. Beyond irrigation, the check dams will support drinking water supply, groundwater recharge, and kharif irrigation in water-stressed regions.
5. Simplifying Odisha Food Processing Policy, 2016To align with the Odisha Food Processing Policy, 2022, the Cabinet approved amendments to the 2016 policy to streamline the approval process for fiscal incentives. The revised structure replaces three committees with a more efficient framework: District Level Committee (DLC) for investments up to Rs. 1 crore, State District Level Committee (SDLC) for investments between Rs. 1 crore and Rs. 10 crore, and State Level Committee (SLC) for investments up to Rs. 50 crore. This simplification is expected to accelerate investment and job creation in the food processing sector.These decisions underscore the Odisha government’s proactive approach to addressing systemic challenges while promoting sustainable development and economic empowerment.The approved measures are set to have a far-reaching impact, paving the way for a more efficient, equitable, and prosperous Odisha.