Odisha Politics & Governance

Union Budget proposes rare-earth corridor covering Odisha

1 February 2026

The Union Budget 2026–27 proposed rare-earth corridors in Odisha, Andhra Pradesh, Kerala and Tamil Nadu. The proposed corridors are intended to use mineral resources, port access and industrial infrastructure to support the supply chain from minerals to finished products.

The proposal aims to strengthen domestic production and reduce import dependence on rare-earth materials, and is intended to reinforce the permanent-magnet scheme announced in 2025.

Key Facts

• Rare-earth elements are used in electronics, lasers and magnetic materials, making them important inputs for advanced manufacturing.
• Rare-earth processing is costly and energy-intensive because usable purity requires processing large quantities of ore.

Odisha reports ₹197.66 crore in SHG interest refunds

2 February 2026

Odisha held an interest-refund programme for 280,586 self-help groups , reporting refunds of more than ₹197.66 crore. The refunds relate to interest on eligible SHG bank loans; under the arrangement, loans of up to ₹10 lakh carry a zero annual interest rate.

The Union Budget presented the previous day also announced SHE-Marts, described as community-owned retail outlets for women SHG entrepreneurs.

Key Facts

• SHE-Marts aim to help women move from credit-linked livelihoods to owning enterprises.

Rayagada receives project inaugurations and foundation stones worth over ₹550 crore

2 February 2026

During a visit to Rayagada, Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi inaugurated 41 projects worth ₹210 crore and laid foundation stones for 67 projects valued at ₹340.56 crore. The inaugurated works included a development project for the Maa Majhighariani Temple.

Majhi said a medical college and hospital would be established in Rayagada; the facility was presented as a government plan.

Odisha plans phased expansion of RI offices and a new Burla tehsil

2 February 2026

Odisha Revenue Minister Suresh Pujari announced a phased plan to open Revenue Inspector (RI) offices at gram panchayat offices, starting with one office for every two panchayats and later moving to one in each panchayat. He also said Sambalpur tehsil was planned to be divided, with a new tehsil covering Burla and Hirakud proposed to improve access to revenue services.

Mission Shakti resource persons to receive smartphones under Odisha plan

2 February 2026

Odisha Deputy Chief Minister Pravati Parida announced smartphones for 46,000 Mission Shakti community resource persons, along with new uniforms and identity cards for Mission Shakti women. Distribution was scheduled to begin on 1 April 2026. The announcement was made at a programme for interest refunds to self-help groups .

Key Facts

• Mission Shakti’s SHG loan-interest refunds aim to strengthen women’s financial growth and groups’ capacity.

Union Budget provides ₹10,928 crore for Odisha Railways

2 February 2026

The Union Budget provided ₹10,928 crore for railway development in Odisha, described by Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw as the state’s highest-ever allocation. He said railway projects worth ₹90,659 crore were under way in the state. The proposed East–West freight corridor is expected to connect Odisha with Chhattisgarh, Maharashtra and Gujarat.

Key Facts

• East Coast Railway is an Indian Railways zone headquartered in Bhubaneswar, with Sambalpur, Khurda and Rayagada divisions.
• Railways also reported measures to prevent elephant deaths on tracks, including optical-fibre monitoring and planned AI-based thermal cameras.

Bhubaneswar–Puri–Cuttack identified as a City Economic Region

2 February 2026

The Union Budget identified the Bhubaneswar–Puri–Cuttack tri-city area as one of seven City Economic Regions in its initial phase. It proposed ₹5,000 crore for each region over five years, with funding linked to development plans and reforms. The initiative is intended to develop connected urban areas as economic clusters.

Key Facts

• City Economic Regions combine a central city with nearby industrial or tourism areas into larger economic clusters.

Odisha launches Mukhyamantri Kanya Bibaha Yojana

3 February 2026

Odisha launched the Mukhyamantri Kanya Bibaha Yojana at a mass wedding near the Maa Taratarini temple in Ganjam, where 201 brides took part. Eligible brides are to receive ₹60,000 in assistance: ₹45,000 directly in the bride’s bank account and ₹15,000 towards wedding expenses.

The scheme is intended to ease wedding costs for economically weaker families and support widow remarriage. Eligibility requires the bride to be 18–35 and the groom 21–35, with both permanent residents of Odisha; more than ₹59 crore was provided in the state budget for implementation from 2025–26 ...