Bhubaneswar: Marking the completion of two years of the BJP government in Odisha, Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on June 12 unveiled an ambitious roadmap for the state’s future while presenting a comprehensive report card of his government’s achievements across sectors. The occasion was marked by two major welfare announcements: free education from kindergarten to postgraduate level for economically weaker students and an expansion of the Mukhyamantri Annapurna Yojana that will provide 10 kilograms of free rice per month to eligible beneficiaries.
Addressing a press conference at Lok Seva Bhavan in Bhubaneswar, Majhi said his government has laid the foundation for a “Prosperous Odisha” through transparent governance, institutional reforms, infrastructure expansion, social welfare initiatives, and economic development. He asserted that the state has witnessed rapid progress under what he described as a corruption-free administration and credited the “double-engine government” model for accelerating development.
Free Education from KG to PG
In one of the most significant announcements of the day, the Chief Minister declared that students from economically disadvantaged families will receive free education from KG to PG in Odisha.
The move is aimed at ensuring that financial constraints do not prevent deserving students from pursuing education at any level. The government believes the initiative will significantly improve access to higher education and create greater opportunities for students from weaker sections of society.
The announcement complements the state’s broader education reforms, including the implementation of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, the establishment of Godabarish Mishra Model Primary Schools across panchayats, and large-scale teacher recruitment drives.
Annapurna Yojana , 3.28 Crore Beneficiaries to Receive 10 kg Free Rice
n a major welfare initiative aimed at strengthening food security across Odisha, Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Friday announced the expansion of the Mukhyamantri Annapurna Yojana, under which beneficiaries will now receive a total of 10 kilograms of rice free of cost every month.
The announcement was made during a press conference marking the completion of two years of the BJP government in the state.
Under the revised scheme, all beneficiaries covered under the National Food Security Act (NFSA) and the State Food Security Scheme (SFSS) will receive an additional 5 kilograms of rice free of cost. Beneficiaries were already receiving 5 kilograms of rice under existing food security programmes. With the state’s additional allocation, each eligible individual will now be entitled to 10 kilograms of rice per month.
The Chief Minister said the enhanced food assistance programme is expected to benefit approximately 3.28 crore people across Odisha, covering nearly 80 percent of the state’s population.
To implement the expanded Mukhyamantri Annapurna Yojana, the Odisha government will incur an annual expenditure of approximately ₹8,813 crore. The state government has made the necessary budgetary provisions to sustain the programme and ensure uninterrupted distribution of food grains to beneficiaries.
Women’s Empowerment Remains a Priority
Beginning his address with women’s welfare, the Chief Minister highlighted the success of the Subhadra Yojana, approved during the government’s first Cabinet meeting. More than ₹20,600 crore has been disbursed under the scheme over the last two years.
The government has also introduced the Kanya Bibaha Yojana, through which around 1,300 girls from economically weaker families have been married through mass marriage ceremonies conducted with dignity and state support.
ମାନ୍ୟବର ମୁଖ୍ୟମନ୍ତ୍ରୀ ଶ୍ରୀ @MohanMOdisha ଲୋକଙ୍କ ସରକାରଙ୍କ ଦୁଇ ବର୍ଷ ପୂର୍ତ୍ତି ଅବସରରେ ଆୟୋଜିତ ସାମ୍ବାଦିକ ସମ୍ମିଳନୀରେ ଯୋଗ ଦେଇଛନ୍ତି। ଏହି ଅବସରରେ ସାମ୍ବାଦିକମାନଙ୍କ ବିଭିନ୍ନ ପ୍ରଶ୍ନର ଉତ୍ତର ରଖି ଲୋକଙ୍କ ସୁବିଧା, ଉତ୍ତମ ସେବା, ସୁଶାସନ ସହ ‘ସମୃଦ୍ଧ ଓଡ଼ିଶା’ ଗଠନ ନେଇ ସରକାରଙ୍କ ଉଦ୍ୟମ ଏବଂ ବିଭିନ୍ନ ଲୋକାଭିମୁଖୀ… pic.twitter.com/5EV6WiULlv
— CMO Odisha (@CMO_Odisha) June 12, 2026
Additionally, the Kanya Sumangala Yojana has been launched in alignment with the Prime Minister’s “Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao” vision.
The Chief Minister noted that more than four lakh Self-Help Groups have been linked to concessional bank loans worth Rs 38,795 crore. As a result, 23.5 lakh women have attained “Lakhpati Didi” status, significantly improving their economic independence and financial empowerment.
Record Paddy Procurement and Farmer Welfare
Describing farmers as the “Annadatas” of Odisha, Majhi highlighted several initiatives aimed at strengthening the agricultural sector.
During the 2025–26 Kharif season, Odisha procured a record 77.41 lakh metric tonnes of paddy from 18.83 lakh farmers. In addition, 4.85 lakh metric tonnes were procured during the Rabi season.
The government has also launched initiatives such as the Krushi Vidyanidhi Yojana, Chief Minister’s Agriculture Enterprise Scheme, development of 100 model mandis, and transformation of PACS and LAMPCS into One-Stop Service Centres.
Education Reforms and Recruitment
The Chief Minister criticized the previous administration for focusing on cosmetic improvements rather than substantive educational reforms.
He highlighted the implementation of NEP 2020 and the decision to establish Godabarish Mishra Model Primary Schools in every panchayat as landmark reforms.
Out of 2,200 schools planned in the first phase, foundation stones have already been laid for 322 institutions.
The state has recruited 26,615 teaching and non-teaching personnel during the past two years. The government plans to recruit another 45,000 teachers over the next three years to strengthen the education system further.
Major Expansion in Healthcare
The Chief Minister said healthcare reform has been one of the government’s most significant achievements.
Following the implementation of the Ayushman Bharat–Gopabandhu Jan Arogya Yojana, around 3.46 crore beneficiaries now have access to cashless treatment at nearly 32,000 empanelled hospitals across the country.
Medical education infrastructure has also expanded substantially. MBBS courses have begun at Maharaja Jajati Keshari Medical College, Pabitra Mohan Pradhan Medical College in Talcher, and Kandhamal Government Medical College.
The foundation stone for Nabarangpur Government Medical College has been laid, while new medical colleges are proposed in Jagatsinghpur, Dhenkanal, and Bhadrak.
The government has also announced plans to establish three new Ayurvedic Medical Colleges and two Homoeopathic Medical Colleges. Over the last two years, 5,197 doctors and paramedical personnel have been recruited.
Record Infrastructure Spending
Infrastructure development emerged as a key highlight of the government’s report card.
The current state budget has allocated Rs 72,100 crore for capital expenditure, representing 6.5 percent of Odisha’s Gross State Domestic Product—the highest such ratio among Indian states.
During the past two years, approximately ₹17,000 crore has been invested in nearly 9,000 kilometres of roads, 57 bridges, and four railway overbridges.
'ଲୋକଙ୍କ ସରକାର'କୁ ୨ ବର୍ଷ ପୂର୍ତ୍ତି ଅବସରରେ ଲୋକସେବା ଭବନଠାରେ ମାନ୍ୟବର ମୁଖ୍ୟମନ୍ତ୍ରୀ ଶ୍ରୀ @MohanMOdisha ଙ୍କ ଅଧ୍ୟକ୍ଷତାରେ ଆୟୋଜିତ ସାମ୍ବାଦିକ ସମ୍ମିଳନୀରେ ଯୋଗଦେଲି। ଏହି ଅବସରରେ ମାନ୍ୟବର ମୁଖ୍ୟମନ୍ତ୍ରୀ, ଯଶସ୍ୱୀ ପ୍ରଧାନମନ୍ତ୍ରୀ ଶ୍ରୀ @narendramodi ଜୀଙ୍କ ଦିଗ୍ଦର୍ଶନରେ ଗତ ୨ ବର୍ଷ ମଧ୍ୟରେ ଡବଲ୍ ଇଞ୍ଜିନ୍ ସରକାରଙ୍କ… pic.twitter.com/3orHd7zSlr
— Pravati Parida (@PravatiPOdisha) June 12, 2026
To reduce traffic congestion in Bhubaneswar, the government has approved a master plan covering 36 roads. Nearly Rs 1,200 crore has been sanctioned for eight road projects spanning around 27 kilometres.
Several transformative projects, including the Atal Expressway, Namo Expressway, Berhampur–Jeypore Expressway, Bhubaneswar Right Access Road Network, and Jaydev Vihar–Nandankanan Corridor, are under implementation or scheduled to begin soon.
Industrial Growth and Employment
The Chief Minister said industrialisation remains central to Odisha’s development strategy.
Since the Utkarsh Odisha Conclave and subsequent investment roadshows, the state has attracted investment proposals worth ₹20 lakh crore, with the potential to generate approximately 17 lakh jobs.
Through the single-window clearance mechanism, 433 projects worth ₹8.69 lakh crore have been approved, expected to create over 5.25 lakh employment opportunities.
Foundation stones have been laid for 114 projects worth ₹2.18 lakh crore, while 34 projects worth around ₹67,000 crore have already been inaugurated.
Tourism Gets Major Push
Seeking to position Odisha as a leading tourism destination, the government has adopted the new tourism tagline: “Think India, Think Odisha.”
A total of 208 tourism infrastructure projects worth approximately ₹678.48 crore have been approved across the state.
The Chief Minister highlighted the Shamuka Project in Puri as a landmark initiative expected to place Odisha prominently on the global tourism map.
The government has also promoted Odisha’s culture through Odisha Parba celebrations in Bengaluru, Guwahati, and Ahmedabad.
Sports Infrastructure Expansion
The government has announced an unprecedented investment of ₹4,124 crore in sports infrastructure.
Modern stadiums will be built in all 314 blocks of Odisha under the vision of taking athletes “From Playground to Podium.”
The state has also secured hosting rights for the World Indoor Athletics Championships 2028 and the Asian Indoor Athletics Championships 2028, marking a major milestone for Odisha’s sporting ambitions.
Social Welfare and Inclusion
Under the Madhu Babu Pension Scheme, pensions are currently being provided to 36.75 lakh beneficiaries.
Citizens above 80 years of age and persons with severe disabilities receive a monthly pension of ₹3,500.
The government has also strengthened support for Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, and socially backward communities through scholarships, hostel assistance, enhanced reservations, and educational incentives.
Skill Development and Employment
Majhi noted that Odisha’s skill development model has been recognised in the Economic Survey 2025–26 as one of India’s best practices.
Five ITIs will be upgraded as Utkarsh ITIs with an investment of ₹500 crore. Centres of Excellence are being established in 47 ITIs, while AI laboratories are being set up in 13 institutions.
Two new campuses of the World Skill Center will come up in Sambalpur and Berhampur.
Governance, Transparency and Future Vision
Highlighting governance reforms, the Chief Minister said the government has revived direct public grievance hearings. Over two years, 14,651 complaints have been received through the Chief Minister’s Grievance Cell, with 95 percent reportedly resolved.
Appointment letters have been distributed to 44,128 candidates across 27 government departments through 15 recruitment drives.
The Chief Minister also defended the government’s anti-corruption stance, asserting that corruption has not touched his administration. He warned that individuals found guilty of corrupt practices would face strict action.
Launching a sharp attack on the previous BJD government, Majhi alleged that governance had become overly centralized and driven by individual preferences rather than institutions. He claimed several major projects lacked institutional accountability and said his government is correcting those shortcomings through systemic reforms.
As part of that effort, Odisha has established the State Institute for Transformative Initiatives (Odisha SITI), which aims to provide long-term institutional support for policy planning and governance reforms.
Concluding his address, the Chief Minister said Odisha is moving steadily toward its goal of becoming a prosperous state by 2036. He expressed confidence that continued cooperation between the state and central governments, coupled with strong institutional governance and welfare-focused development, would help Odisha achieve transformative growth in the coming years.
At the press conference, Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, Deputy Chief Minister Pravati Parida, Rajya Sabha MP Manmohan Samal,Vijaypal Singh Tomar, Chief Secretary Anu Garg, and I&PR Secretary Hemant Sharma were present.
