In a landmark announcement, Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Friday revealed a slew of transformative decisions taken during the 16th State Cabinet meeting held on March 20, 2025.
Addressing the State Legislative Assembly, the Chief Minister outlined 10 key proposals approved across seven departments, promising sweeping changes in healthcare, mining relief, road infrastructure, and administrative reforms.
The centrepiece of the announcements is the integration of the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB PMJAY) with the state’s Gopabandhu Jan Arogya Yojana (GJAY). This ambitious move, backed by an MoU with the National Health Authority, will extend cashless treatment up to ₹5 lakh per family annually to 3.46 crore beneficiaries from 1.03 crore families.
Women will receive an additional ₹5 lakh, while the “Ayushman Bayo-Bandana Yojana” ensures similar benefits for all citizens above 70, regardless of income. Access to 29,000 hospitals nationwide marks a significant leap from the earlier 900.
In a bid to uplift mining-affected communities, the Cabinet amended the Odisha District Mineral Foundation (DMF) Rules, 2015. The radius for directly affected areas has been expanded from 10 km to 15 km, ensuring more families receive livelihoods, skill development, and environmental restoration support.
Infrastructure took centre stage with the approval of the “Odisha State Road Policy 2025” and the “Odisha State Highway Authority Bill 2025.” These initiatives aim to create a world-class road network spanning 75,000 km, boosting safety and economic growth.
Additionally, the Cabinet extended a One-Time Settlement Scheme for water dues until May 31, 2025, and expanded the “Bikashit Gaon Bikashit Odisha” scheme for rural development.
A historic decision reinstated the 1990 compassionate appointment rules for families of government employees who died before 2020, reversing a stricter 2020 policy. The Cabinet also redefined “homeless” under the Odisha Prevention of Land Encroachment Act, 1972, offering land to those with less than 1/25th of an acre.
Administrative reforms included syllabus updates for Odisha Administrative and Revenue Services to align with new legal codes like the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). With a budget of ₹27,019.25 crore allocated for AB PMJAY-GJAY over five years, these decisions signal Odisha’s commitment to inclusive growth.
“This is a new dawn for Odisha,” the Chief Minister declared, emphasizing the government’s focus on welfare and progress.
