Odisha Cabinet approves several key proposals, makes '12th Fail' tax-free

The Odisha Cabinet has approved additional financial support for landless agricultural households under the KALIA scheme. A one-time additional financial assistance will be given to eligible landless farmers, and modifications have been made in the release dates of regular financial assistance.

According to official sources, the eligible landless agricultural households will now receive Rs 2,000 as one-time additional financial support under the KALIA scheme. The state government has also allowed the concerned authorities to disburse the regular financial assistance on any preferable date instead of the date earlier fixed.

The KALIA scheme, implemented since 2018-19, aims to provide financial assistance to small and marginal farmers, including sharecroppers and tenant farmers, as well as landless agricultural households in the state. The Cabinet has approved an estimated budget of Rs 6,029.70 crore for the next three years under KALIA schemes.

Additionally, the state government has approved amendments to make the existing Semiconductor Manufacturing and Fabless Policy 2023 more attractive for the manufacturers of semiconductors, electronic chips, and related items. This includes eliminating the previous 5 per cent capping for interest subvention for mega projects worth over Rs 500 crore and introducing new incentives for skill development.

The Cabinet also approved the proposal to make the recently-released Hindi movie ’12th Fail’ tax-free. The film, based on a non-fiction book about a man who overcame extreme poverty to become an IPS officer, will now be exempt from tax.

Overall, the Odisha Cabinet has taken several significant decisions related to financial support for agriculture, manufacturing policies, and tax exemptions for Hindi films in its recent meeting. The additional financial assistance under the KALIA scheme is expected to benefit landless agricultural households, while the amendments to manufacturing policies aim to attract more investment in the semiconductor industry.