Bhubaneswar, Sept. 8 (UDN): In a major relief for government employees and pensioners, the Odisha government has decided to pay 7 per cent annual interest on delayed pension payments when the delay is attributable to administrative negligence.
The decision was taken at a Cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Monday. To give effect to the decision, the government has amended the Odisha Civil Services (Pension) Rules, 1992.
The move is aimed at making departments more accountable for delays in processing pension-related claims and ensuring that eligible pensioners are not financially disadvantaged because of administrative lapses.
Rs 15,948-crore push for power transmission
The Cabinet also approved a major investment of Rs 15,948.70 crore for strengthening Odisha’s electricity transmission network.
For the first time, the state will establish a 765 kV transmission network, with new grid substations planned at Khuntuni, Duburi and Kolabira.
The number of 400 kV grid substations is proposed to rise from five to 13, while 220 kV substations will increase from 48 to 75.
A dedicated transmission network along with an AI-based maintenance system will also be developed for the Hirakud and Indravati floating solar projects.
New matching-grant scheme for government schools
The Cabinet approved Panchasakha Shiksha Setu, a new initiative aimed at encouraging public participation in the development of government schools.
Under the scheme, the state government will provide a matching grant equivalent to twice the amount contributed by a donor. For every Rs 1 donated, the government will contribute Rs 2, subject to a maximum matching grant of Rs 50 lakh.
Single recruitment test for select Group-C posts
The Cabinet also approved amendments to the OUSSSC Rules, 2025, paving the way for a single Combined Recruitment Examination (CRE) for Group-C posts in the Police, Jail, Excise and Forest departments.
The proposed system is expected to streamline recruitment and reduce the need for separate examinations for similar categories of posts.
18 proposals cleared by Cabinet
Besides these decisions, the Odisha Cabinet approved 18 proposals from 12 departments, covering areas including Health, Home, General Administration, Agriculture and Cooperation.
According to Chief Secretary Anu Garg, the Cabinet also cleared tender-related proposals for four projects, along with rule amendments and several schemes, including measures linked to the Jan Vishwas Act.
The state government said the decisions are part of its broader development agenda and are intended to contribute towards the goal of building a Developed Odisha by 2036.
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