In a significant relief for low-income homebuyers, the Odisha Cabinet, chaired by Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, has approved a sharp reduction in stamp duty and registration fees for Economically Weaker Section (EWS) beneficiaries purchasing houses under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana-Urban (PMAY-U) 2.0.
The decision was taken during the state cabinet meeting held on Tuesday and is expected to make affordable housing more accessible for thousands of families across Odisha.
Stamp Duty Reduced to One-Tenth for EWS Beneficiaries
Addressing the media after the cabinet meeting, Chief Secretary Anu Garg announced that stamp duty and registration charges for EWS housing units have been drastically reduced from the existing 6-7 percent to just 0.6-0.7 percent.
According to Garg, the move aligns with the reforms suggested by the Centre under PMAY-U 2.0, which encouraged states to lower transaction costs for economically weaker households.
“Under the new provisions, the earlier 7 percent charge has been reduced to 0.7 percent, while the 6 percent rate has been brought down to 0.6 percent. Effectively, the charges have been reduced to one-tenth of the previous rates,” she said.
The revised rates will apply to all EWS housing units developed under PMAY-U 2.0 as well as affordable housing projects implemented by the Odisha government.
The measure is expected to reduce the financial burden on beneficiaries and encourage greater participation in affordable housing schemes.
Cabinet Clears Key Infrastructure and Development Projects
Apart from the housing-related reforms, the Odisha Cabinet also approved several major infrastructure, irrigation, tourism and urban development projects aimed at accelerating economic growth and improving public services.
Tourism Land Bank Across Major Destinations
To boost tourism and attract private investment, the cabinet approved the creation of a 5,500-acre tourism land bank covering some of Odisha’s most prominent tourist destinations, including:
- Puri
- Konark
- Chilika
- Similipal
- Satkosia
The initiative aims to strengthen hospitality infrastructure and promote tourism-driven economic development.
Rs 994 Crore Brutang Irrigation Project Approved
The cabinet sanctioned the construction of a spillway under the Brutang Irrigation Project in Nayagarh district at a cost of Rs 994 crore.
The project is expected to provide irrigation facilities to approximately 23,300 hectares of agricultural land across 309 villages, benefiting thousands of farmers and improving agricultural productivity.
Rs 440 Crore Water Storage Project Gets Nod
To enhance water security and support local livelihoods, the government approved an in-stream storage project worth Rs 440.33 crore downstream of the Ayodhya Sagar Anicut.
The project will also include the development of an Aarati Ghat near the revered Maa Samaleswari Temple, adding a cultural and tourism dimension to the initiative.
New Sewage Treatment Plant for Bhubaneswar
The cabinet also cleared a Rs 100.89 crore project for the construction of a 70 MLD (Million Litres per Day) Sewage Treatment Plant in Bhubaneswar.
The facility is expected to improve wastewater treatment, strengthen urban sanitation infrastructure and support environmental sustainability in the capital city.
Support for Disaster Management Infrastructure
In another important decision, the state government approved a waiver of Rs 13.07 lakh in land revenue and interest to facilitate the construction of a connecting road for National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) land at Mundali.
The move is aimed at strengthening disaster preparedness and improving emergency response capabilities in the state.
CM Majhi Highlights Vision for Developed Odisha
Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi said the cabinet decisions reflect the government’s commitment to strengthening infrastructure, improving public welfare and accelerating Odisha’s development journey.
In a post on social media platform X, the Chief Minister stated that the approved proposals would benefit citizens across sectors while contributing to the vision of a stronger, prosperous and developed Odisha.
The latest cabinet decisions are expected to provide a major push to affordable housing, tourism, irrigation, urban infrastructure and disaster management, reinforcing the state’s focus on inclusive and sustainable growth.
