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Odisha has been ranked fifth among states in NITI Aayog's recent Investment Friendliness Index, which Chief Minister Mohan Charan Maji termed a reflection of his government's commitment to transparent governance, industry-friendly policies and efficient service delivery. With an overall score of 52.4, the state is placed next to Gujarat, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu and Goa in the "top performers" category. According to an official statement, the NITI Aayog report identifies these five states as leaders in fostering a conducive investment environment. The Investment Friendliness Index (IFI) is India's first comprehensive, evidence-based framework for evaluating the investment ecosystem of all states and Union territories. It assesses performance across eight critical pillars -- infrastructure, business climate, resources, government policy, regulatory ease, institutional environment, financial health and environmental resilience -- to benchmark states and promote competitive and ...
Nearly 11,000 consumers in western Odisha reported "zero electricity bills" in March 2026 after adopting rooftop solar systems under the PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana, officials said. As many as 10,885 households achieved zero bills during the month, driven by installations carried out through TP Western Odisha Distribution Ltd's (TPWODL) 1-kW Utility Led Aggregation (ULA) model, which has accelerated solar adoption in the region. According to a company statement, 18,830 consumers had installed rooftop solar systems in western Odisha as of March 2026, indicating a growing shift towards sustainable and self-reliant energy consumption. The figures showed that around 60 per cent of consumers with rooftop solar installations are now receiving zero electricity bills, while the remaining 40 per cent have reduced their monthly bills by over 80 per cent. In March alone, 1,428 consumers recorded zero bills under the model, underscoring the direct financial benefits of decentralised solar