Odisha’s cabinet approved Wednesday the Air Connectivity Policy, which will offer substantial financial incentives to airlines in order to encourage them to launch domestic and international flights at different airports throughout the state. The state has smaller airports at Jeypore, Rourkela, and Utkela in addition to Biju Patnaik Airport, Bhubaneswar International Airport, and Veer Surendra Sai Airport, Jharsuguda.
According to the report, under the new policy the government will provide viability gap financing to airlines that start new services at these airports.
An official statement stated that the government would provide INR 50,000 per round trip on domestic routes and INR 10,000 for international routes. The amount could be increased for routes longer than 750 km. It said that this support would reduce financial risks and make new routes more appealing.
The policy is aligned to the National Civil Aviation Policy 2016, and the UDAN Scheme, the statement said. It added that it also prioritizes connecting underserved areas, ensuring fair access to air travel throughout Odisha. The government said that the airlines must still meet strict eligibility requirements, including DGCA approvals (50 seats for domestic flights, 180 for international), and a commitment towards sustainable and non-stop operation.
A high-power committee led by the chief secretary will be formed to oversee the implementation, monitor route performances, and adapt any policy needed. This will ensure accountability, and effective program management,” the report said.
The state expects significant economic benefits from this policy. This includes stimulating tourism, creating jobs in related sectors, improving trade and commerce and driving regional development in western Odisha.
Officials said that the cabinet approved minor changes to the guidelines of the financial assistance scheme Subhadra Yojana, including the delinking of its database from Aadhaar. According to the officials, the scheme would provide INR 50000 over five years for women between the ages of 21-60. This will take place between 2024-25 – 2028-29.
Each beneficiary will receive INR 10000 per year in two installments, each of INR 5,000. One installment will be on Rakhi Purnima and the second on International Women’s Day (March 8). Manoj Ahuja, Chief Secretary of India, said that more than 1 crore people had registered and 60 lakh applications had been approved.
He said that about 2.70 lakh applications were rejected because they were deemed ineligible. The cabinet also approved to implement Samruddhi Krishak Yojana. Farmers who have registered for paddy sales through the existing government mechanisms will be paid INR 3100 per quintal. That includes the input support of INR 800 per quintet and the current minimum price, said the chief secretary.
The cabinet approved a paddy procurement policy to be used for the Kharif Marketing Season 2024-25. This season began on October 18 and will end on September 30 2025. Officials said that the state government has set an 80 lakh metric ton target for paddy procurement during the season.
The farmers said there was no limit to the quantity of paddy that can be purchased if more paddy is brought by registered farmers to’mandis. The cabinet approved an amendment to Odisha GST Act via an ordinance because the assembly was not in sessions on the GST Council’s recommendation.
