Odisha Cabinet Clears ₹450-Crore Skill Development Scheme

Bhubaneswar: The Odisha government has approved the Dakshyata Vikas Yojana, a ₹450-crore initiative aimed at enhancing the skills and employment prospects of young people. The decision was taken at a cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi .

Chief Secretary Anu Garg said the two-year programme aims to equip around 4.2 lakh youths with industry-relevant skills and prepare them for employment opportunities in India and overseas.

Under the scheme, 1.17 lakh youths will receive short-term training linked to job placements, while three lakh will be trained in emerging digital technologies, including artificial intelligence, cloud computing, data analytics and cybersecurity.

The initiative will also extend specialised support to vulnerable sections of society, including persons with disabilities, transgender persons, jail inmates and particularly vulnerable tribal groups.

To strengthen industry-oriented education, skill development hubs will be established in higher education institutions. Students will be able to pursue National Skills Qualifications Framework (NSQF)-aligned courses alongside their regular academic programmes.

The scheme will also facilitate overseas employment through foreign-language training in German and Japanese, cultural orientation, certification, visa assistance, travel support and post-placement services.

The cabinet further approved the continuation of the Chief Minister Skill Development Fellowship, under which 40 fellows will be deployed across districts to identify skill gaps, assess local employment needs and strengthen industry partnerships. A Skilled-In-Odisha Digital Hub will also be established to track candidates and monitor training outcomes.

Separately, the cabinet cleared the Urban Storm Water Drainage Management and Improvement Programme, with an allocation of ₹500 crore. The initiative aims to reduce waterlogging, localised flooding and associated public health risks in urban areas.

According to Garg, the programme will cover urban local bodies and selected block headquarters, focusing on the modernisation, expansion and improvement of drainage infrastructure to address the challenges arising from rapid urbanisation.