The Odisha Cabinet on Monday approved 13 major proposals, including a Rs 4,708.64-crore pumped storage power project in Kalahandi district, free Wi-Fi facilities for college students and unlimited attempts for candidates appearing in the Odisha Civil Services Examination until they reach the prescribed upper age limit.
The decisions were taken at a Cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi in Bhubaneswar.
Briefing reporters after the meeting, Chief Secretary Anu Garg said the Cabinet had approved the 600 MW Upper Indravati Pumped Storage Project at Ranibahal in Kalahandi district.
The state government will invest a total of Rs 4,708.64 crore in the project, including Rs 3,371.88 crore towards its construction.
The proposed pumped storage project is expected to strengthen Odisha's power generation and energy storage capacity. Pumped storage technology helps store surplus electricity by pumping water to an upper reservoir and generating power when demand rises by releasing the stored water to a lower reservoir.
Besides the power project, the Cabinet approved free Wi-Fi facilities for college students, an initiative aimed at improving digital access and supporting technology-enabled education.
In another significant decision, the state government approved unlimited attempts for candidates appearing in the Odisha Civil Services Examination, subject to the prescribed upper age limit. The move is expected to provide greater opportunities to aspirants preparing for the state civil services examination.
The approval of these 13 proposals reflects the state government's focus on strengthening energy infrastructure, expanding digital access in higher education and improving opportunities for civil service aspirants.
