Odisha Cabinet clears 8 Proposals including Food & Procurement Policy

Bhubaneswar, Sep 30: The Odisha cabinet cleared eight proposals today. The cabinet meeting was chaired by Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik held at the Secretariat today here.

The cabinet has approved the proposal to revamp Sardar Rajas Medical College and Hospital at Jaring in Kalahandi district. As per the decision taken by the cabinet, a MoU over this will be signed with a private party for the functioning and management of the college. This information was given by Chief Secretary G C Pati while briefing media about cabinet decisions after the meeting was completed here. Pati said that the students of the college would be shifted to a private medical college and hospital here.

The cabinet also approved a new Food and Procurement policy for Kharif crops. As per the new procurement policy, online payment system has been extended to 160 blocks in the state, while remaining blocks would be paid through cheques. The state government has decided to strengthen district level procurement system in all districts.

As per the decision taken at the cabinet meeting, teachers of Tribal Welfare Residential (TRW) schools will be treated at par with Teachers of School and Mass Education Department.

The cabinet also approved the amendment of 1961 Electricity Duty Act. As per the decision taken at the meeting, power tariff increased in Industrial sector by 30 paise per unit. No power tariff hike in Domestic and Agriculture sectors.

In addition, tax waived on the farmers having Generator with capacity up to 50 KV. Earlier, the tax waiver was applied to 10 KV Generators.