Odisha Economy

Odisha unveils new policy to reuse treated water, targets 50% by 2036

State notifies comprehensive framework to boost wastewater reuse, aiming to strengthen urban water security, cut freshwater dependence and promote sustainable resource management

Nearly 11,000 get 'zero' electricity bills in Odisha after solar adoption

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

Odisha flags ₹48,448 crore audit backlog, warns of governance lapses

Finance Department raises concern over 85,000 pending audit reports and objections, highlighting systemic lapses in accountability and fiscal management

JSW Steel, POSCO form joint venture to set up 6 mtpa steel plant in Odisha

The proposed 50:50 joint venture will establish a 6 mtpa integrated steel plant, marking POSCO's return to Odisha and reinforcing the state's position as a key hub for large-scale steel investments

Odisha procured modified Thar SUVs for 17 cr from disaster response fund

Audit flags diversion of SDRF funds for vehicle purchase, illegal royalty deposits and massive pension overpayments, pointing to serious financial control lapses in Odisha

BJP MP's CIA claim on Biju Patnaik sparks outrage across Odisha

Remarks linking Biju Patnaik to CIA role during 1962 war draw sharp backlash, with leaders across parties defending his legacy and calling the claims baseless

Odisha lags in spending despite record budget, capex remains a concern

Despite a record Rs 3.1 trillion budget, Odisha's spending remains uneven, with subdued capital expenditure and several departments lagging in fund utilisation

Odisha clears Rs 4,510 crore investment proposals; over 10,000 jobs

Odisha approves 23 projects worth Rs 4,510 crore across sectors, expected to create over 10,000 jobs and boost industrial growth across 11 districts

Why India's state accounts don't add up, distorting deficits and debt

Misclassification is rife, affecting compliance under FRBM Act, and distorting revenue surplus, fiscal deficit and debt ratios. IMF doesn't like it. Now, CAG is set to clamp down on the bad practic

Odisha unveils Pharma, MedTech Policy 2025, eyes ₹25,000 crore investment

The Odisha government on Tuesday unveiled Pharmaceutical and Medical Devices Policy-2025, aiming to attract investment of Rs 25,000 crore and create 1 lakh jobs by 2030. Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi launched the new policy here at the Odisha Pharma Summit-2025 in the presence of Industries Minister Sampad Chandra Swain and senior government officers. Speaking on the occasion, Industries Department's Additional Chief Secretary Hemant Sharma said India imports about 85 per cent of medical devices from other countries, and there is a huge opportunity for this sector. As a lot of units of pharmaceutical and medical devices are expected to come up in the next five years, Odisha must make an attempt to become a part of this endeavour, Sharma said. Under the policy, the state offers a 50 per cent subsidy on concessional land cost for units employing more than 200 Odisha-domiciled skilled staff. The government also offered a 30 per cent capital subsidy on eligible plant and machinery

Why 200% salary hike for Odisha MLAs could set an uneasy national benchmark

With lawmakers in Bhubaneswar self-appraising salaries amid public backlash, Ramani Ranjan Mohapatra explains how these are fixed, and why Odisha's move matters

Nalco plans to start Pottangi bauxite mines in Odisha by mid-2026

State-owned National Aluminium Company Ltd (Nalco) is aiming to start its Pottangi bauxite mines in Odisha by June next year as the company plans to ramp up its mining capacity supporting its goal of expanding its integrated aluminium business. Dilip Buildcon Ltd had emerged as L-1 bidder for the development and operation of Pottangi bauxite mines. "...our target is June next year we will be starting the mines," NALCO CMD Brijendra Pratap Singh said. The company is set to enhance its alumina production capacity at its Damanjodi refinery in Koraput district, Odisha. Nalco operates a 2.275 million tonnes per annum (MTPA) alumina refinery at the site and is undertaking the installation of a 5th stream that will add an additional 1 MTPA capacity. To support this expansion, the Odisha government has granted Nalco a mining lease for the Pottangi Bauxite Deposit in Koraput district. The lease covers an area of 697.979 hectares and is valid for 50 years, ensuring steady raw material suppl

Odisha clears ₹1.46 trillion investment proposals, including Adani project

The Odisha government on Saturday approved 33 investment proposals worth Rs 1.46 lakh crore, including Adani Enterprises Limited's coal-to-chemical project. The projects were cleared in the High Level Clearance Authority (HLCA) meeting, chaired by Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi and the Single Window Clearance Committee (SLWCA) headed by Chief Secretary Manoj Ahuja. While HLCA approved 12 investment proposals worth Rs 1,41,993.54 crore, which will create 49,745 employment opportunities, the SLWCA approved Rs 4,019.53 crore worth of investments, generating 16,590 employment opportunities. The HLCA approved the projects in the new-age sectoral investments in the ESDM (Electronics System Design and Manufacturing) sector, while ACME Akshay Energy Private Limited has invested in green hydrogen and green ammonia production. Jindal India Power Limited has also invested in the power and renewable energy sector. The Adani Enterprise Limited will set up a coal-to-chemical plant at an ...

Intel CEO to attend Odisha's plant launch; chip output in 2 years: Official

PC chip major Intel CEO Lip-Bu Tan is likely to visit Odisha later this year for the ground-breaking ceremony of 3D Glass Solutions' semiconductor plant, a senior state government official said on Wednesday. The ground-breaking ceremony of the silicon carbide company SicSem is scheduled for next month, and the commercial production of chips is expected to start in two years, Odisha Electronics and IT Department Principal Secretary Vishal Kumar Dev told PTI. "Chief Minister (Mohan Charan Majhi) was here, and they (SiCSem and 3DGS) have given a commitment to start the unit soon. SiCSem's ground-breaking will be done next month, and the other company, 3D Glass Solutions (3DGS), they are looking for a date from Intel CEO Lip-Bu Tan. He plans to visit Odisha also. That is when the ground-breaking will happen. Hopefully, in the next two to three months," Dev said. 3D Glass semiconductor packaging unit to be set up by Heterogeneous Integration Packaging Solutions Pvt Ltd, which is backed

Cabinet clears ₹9,814 cr projects for Kota-Bundi airport, Odisha ring road

Union Cabinet approves Rs 9,814 crore for new greenfield airport in Kota-Bundi and six-lane ring road connecting Cuttack and Bhubaneswar in Odisha, boosting infrastructure in Rajasthan and Odisha

Jindal Steel commissions first continuous galvanising line in Odisha

The new line will produce galvanised and galvalume products, catering to various industries, including appliances, automotive, infrastructure, and construction

Mohan Charan Majhi's govt puts industry on fast track, jobs trail in Odisha

While speaking to the media on June 10, Majhi reaffirmed his commitment to filling 150,000 vacant government positions over the next five years, in line with the BJP's election manifesto

Odisha aims to be India's growth engine over next 25 years: CM Majhi

Asserting that Odisha will be the growth engine in the country's development journey over the next 25 years, Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Saturday said that the state aspires to become a USD 1.5 trillion economy by 2047. Majhi said this while speaking at the NIITI Aayog Governing Council meeting chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi. "I assure you Sir (PM), Odisha will be the growth engine in the country's development journey over the next twenty-five years," Majhi was quoted saying in a press release issued by the chief minister's office here. Noting that India's economy is the fastest-growing among all major global economies with a growth rate of 6.5 per cent in 2024-25, Majhi said: "During the same period with the double engine push, the state has grown at 7.2 per cent. I am deeply grateful to the Prime Minister for visiting Odisha five times in the last 11 months which shows his commitment to the development of Odisha." While thanking the Centre for ...

Odisha govt clears Rs 3,898 cr investment projects to create 7,400 jobs

The Odisha government on Friday approved 19 projects worth Rs 3,898 crore, which are expected to generate employment for over 7,400 people. According to an official statement, the State Level Single Window Clearance Authority (SLSWCA), chaired by Chief Secretary Manoj Ahuja, has given its nod to the proposals spanning various sectors such as steel, iron & ferro alloys, industrial gases, logistics, food and beverage, agro-processing, tourism and hospitality, chemicals, metal downstream, and apparel and textile. The projects are proposed to be grounded in Angul, Balasore, Cuttack, Dhenkanal, Ganjam, Jajpur, Keonjhar, Khurda, Koraput, Sambalpur and Sundargarh, it said. The state has approved the proposal of Sree Metaliks Limited to expand its integrated steel plant in Keonjhar with an investment of Rs 885 crore, it said. The proposal of Tata Steel to enhance its crude steel capacity from the proposed 6.5 million tonne per annum (MTPA) to 7.1 MTPA with an additional investment of Rs .

Maharashtra leads in growth and governance; Gujarat and Karnataka follows

Gujarat topped the economic chart of the country, driven by strong performance in per capita Gross State Domestic Product, Foreign Direct Investment (% of GSDP) and Gross Fixed Capital Formation