The Odisha state cabinet, chaired by Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, on September 29 approved four significant proposals from three departments, covering key areas of labour welfare, education, and religious tourism. The decisions are expected to bring wide-ranging benefits to workers, students, and devotees across the state.
One of the major highlights of the cabinet meeting was the approval of amendments to the Odisha Shops and Commercial Establishments Act, 1956, and the Factories Act, 1948. As per the revised provisions, the standard daily working hours for employees have been increased from nine to ten, while the weekly limit has been retained at 48 hours.
Employees working beyond these limits will be entitled to overtime wages at double the regular rate, ensuring fair compensation. The maximum overtime allowance per quarter has been raised to 144 hours, offering more flexibility for both employers and workers. To safeguard employee welfare, no worker can be required to work continuously for more than six hours without a minimum half-hour break.
In addition, establishments will now be permitted to operate round-the-clock, all 365 days of the year, encouraging industries to boost productivity and meet modern business demands.
In a landmark move, the amendments allow women employees to work night shifts, provided they give written consent. The state government will take responsibility for ensuring adequate safety and security measures, making this decision a progressive step towards gender inclusivity in the workforce.
The reforms also extend the coverage of the Employee State Insurance (ESI) Act, 1948, to establishments employing 20 or more workers, thereby enhancing access to healthcare and insurance benefits. Furthermore, all shops and commercial establishments will now be mandated to display signboards in Odia, reinforcing the state’s linguistic and cultural identity.
ରାଜ୍ୟ କ୍ୟାବିନେଟର ୨୭ତମ ବୈଠକ ମାନ୍ୟବର ମୁଖ୍ୟମନ୍ତ୍ରୀ ଶ୍ରୀ @MohanMOdisha ଙ୍କ ଅଧ୍ୟକ୍ଷତାରେ ଲୋକସେବା ଭବନ ସମ୍ମିଳନୀ କକ୍ଷରେ ଅନୁଷ୍ଠିତ ହୋଇଛି। ଏହି ବୈଠକରେ @PWD_Odisha ର ଗୋଟିଏ, @SMEOdisha
ର ଗୋଟିଏ ଏବଂ @LESIOdisha ର ଦୁଇଟି, ଏହିଭଳି ମୋଟ ୪ଟି ପ୍ରସ୍ତାବ ଆଲୋଚନା ପୂର୍ବକ ଅନୁମୋଦିତ ହୋଇଛି। pic.twitter.com/D6zwAMuZxF— CMO Odisha (@CMO_Odisha) September 29, 2025
Chief Minister Majhi said, “The approval of the four proposals marks a significant step in strengthening labour welfare, education infrastructure, and religious tourism in Odisha. They will ensure the well-being of many people in daily society.”
Education Boost: Godabarish Adarsha Primary School Scheme
To strengthen grassroots education, the cabinet approved the Godabarish Adarsha Primary School scheme under the framework of the Right to Education Act, 2009. The initiative aims to establish at least one model primary school in every panchayat, providing modern facilities and quality learning opportunities.
In the first phase, 2,200 schools will be constructed over three years at an estimated cost of Rs 1,200 crore, with each school receiving more than ₹5 crore in funding. Once completed, the project will be expanded to cover all panchayats across the state, ensuring equitable access to quality primary education.
In the religious tourism sector, the cabinet sanctioned a Rs 226 crore development project for the Ghatagaon Tarini temple in Keonjhar district, one of Odisha’s most prominent shrines. The Detailed Project Report (DPR) covers development work across 69 acres, with plans including a pilgrims’ inn accommodating 246 people, a dedicated Nadiya Bhandar, and a 500-seat hall for mass gatherings.
The project aims to enhance infrastructure and facilities for devotees, positioning Ghatagaon Tarini as a major religious and cultural hub.
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