Industry Odisha Bureau, April 5: In a major move, the Odisha Government has decided to provide 11.25 percent reservation for Socially and Educationally Backward Classes (SEBC) students in technical, medical and other professional studies.
The Cabinet headed by Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi has taken this decision while enhancing the quota for SC and ST students.
Speaking to media persons after the Cabinet meeting, the Chief Minister announced that reservation for ST students in technical, professional, medical, and allied courses will increase from 12 percent to 22.5 percent, while SC students will see their quota rise from 8 percent to 16.25 percent.
The Chief Minister emphasized that this revised reservation policy will apply across all state universities, their affiliated colleges, industrial training institutes (ITIs), and polytechnics.
It will cover a wide range of fields including engineering, technology, management, computer applications, medicine, surgery, dental, nursing, pharmacy, allied health sciences, veterinary science, Ayurveda, homeopathy, agriculture, architecture, planning, cinematic arts and technology, and other courses notified by the State Government, at certificate, diploma, bachelor’s and master’s levels.
With the implementation of the new quota system, out of the 2,421 medical seats (UG and PG), 545 seats will be reserved for ST students, 393 for SC students, and 272 for SEBC students, he said.
In engineering courses, out of 44,579 seats, 10,030 seats are now reserved for ST students, 7,244 for SC students, and 5,015 for SEBC students. This policy aims to enhance educational opportunities for marginalized communities and promote inclusive growth in Odisha’s higher education sector, Majhi said.
The Cabinet has also approved a Comprehensive Flood Management Scheme with an outlay of Rs.2,781 crore, to be funded entirely from the State’s own resources during the period FY 2025-26 to FY 2029-30.
The Cabinet approved the proposal of the Cooperation Department for an incentive package for revival of Badamba Cooperative Sugar Industries Ltd. by Indian Potash Limited (IPL) – a public company with majority shareholding in the hands of Cooperatives like IFFCO, under the provision of special/additional support mechanism in the Industrial Policy Resolution, 2022.
The Badamba Sugar Industry has remained defunct since 2011, adversely affecting sugarcane farmers and the rural economy of Badamba and adjoining areas.
Due to closure of the industry, sugarcane farmers have shifted to conventional paddy cultivation, and the entire sugar and ancillary industry ecosystem has collapsed.
In this backdrop, the Chief Minister of the State requested IPL to consider the revival of the defunct Sugar Industry. Following the request of the State, IPL has proposed to establish a Rs 352 crore integrated greenfield sugar complex, comprising a 3500 TCD sulphur-less sugar plant, 16 MW cogeneration plant, and 10 TPD Compressed Bio-Gas (CBG) plant over the vacant land of defunct Badamba Sugar Mill.
The Government has also approved the Mukhyamantri Hastatanta Bikasha Yojana (MHBY) scheme, a flagship initiative aimed at the inclusive and holistic development of the State’s handloom sector, which embodies Odisha’s rich cultural heritage, artistic excellence, and skilled craftsmanship.
With a total budgetary provision of Rs 589.10 crore over five years, MHBY scheme seeks to structurally realign existing programmes and promote convergence with other departments to ensure synergy and sustainability, Chief Secretary Anu Garg said.
