A crucial Odisha Cabinet meeting is scheduled to take place tomorrow under the leadership of Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi. The meeting will be held at Lok Seva Bhawan, with departmental ministers and senior officials expected to attend.
According to sources, the Cabinet is likely to deliberate on seven important agendas that could impact governance and public welfare across the state.
Focus on Rural Drinking Water Policy 2026
One of the key proposals expected to be discussed comes from the Panchayati Raj and Drinking Water Department. The department may introduce a new policy titled “Rural Drinking Water Supply Operation and Maintenance Policy 2026.”
The primary objective of this policy is to ensure safe and consistent drinking water supply to every household, especially in rural areas, and to reduce water scarcity issues across Odisha.
Multiple Sectors on the Agenda
In addition to water supply, proposals from several departments may be tabled, including:
- Education
- Healthcare
- Transport
- General Administration
- Public Grievance
- Law Department
These discussions aim to strengthen public services and improve administrative efficiency.
Previous Cabinet Decisions
In the last Cabinet meeting held on April 4, the Odisha government introduced the Annapurna Scheme to ensure food security. Under this initiative:
- Beneficiaries will receive an additional 5 kg of free rice per person every month
- The scheme will benefit around 3.28 crore people under food security programs
Reservation Policy Reforms in Higher Education
The government had also approved significant changes in reservation policies for higher education:
- Scheduled Tribes (ST): Increased to 22.5%
- Scheduled Castes (SC): Increased to 16.2%
- SEBC/OBC: Introduced at 11.2% for the first time
These revised quotas will apply to both government and private higher education institutions, promoting inclusivity and equal opportunities.
