BHUBANESWAR: The Odisha government has recently approved a policy aimed at transforming the state into a hub for Global Capability Centres (GCCs) through a range of incentives, an official reported.
A GCC is a facility set up by multinational companies to centralize and handle essential business operations such as IT, research and development, and finance.
A cabinet meeting led by Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi approved 12 proposals from nine departments, including the Odisha Global Capability Centre (GCC) Policy 2025, as stated by Chief Secretary Manoj Ahuja.
The new policy seeks to attract major multinational firms to set up and grow their GCCs in Odisha by providing a solid ecosystem of top-tier infrastructure, skilled workforce, and innovative incentives, he added.
With its strategic location, upgraded urban infrastructure, and proactive governance, Odisha is in a strong position to become a favored site for GCCs, Ahuja explained.
The policy aligns with the state’s long-term development vision under ‘Viksit Odisha’ for the years 2036 and 2047, aiming to secure over Rs 1,000 crore in investments and establish at least five state-of-the-art GCC hubs in Bhubaneswar, Cuttack-Puri-Paradip, and Bargarh-Jharsuguda-Sambalpur economic regions.
The state anticipates generating over 50,000 direct and indirect jobs in the IT sector in the near future, he stated.
The government also announced the introduction of an e-lottery system for the leasing of minor mineral quarries, including stones and sand. This initiative is expected to streamline the allocation and operation of these resources and address the supply-demand imbalance at reasonable costs, according to Ahuja.
Additionally, steps have been taken to enforce and prevent illegal mining, with a cap on pricing for minor minerals incorporated into the regulation. The Chief Secretary noted that individuals can now lease a maximum of three minor mineral quarries per district and five statewide.
The new rules also empower the government to obtain 40% of a minor mineral block and market it in case of shortages, preventing any leaseholder from monopolizing the market, Ahuja stated.
New provisions have been established for blacklisting offenders and imposing fines. The cabinet approved the Odisha Minerals (Prevention of Illegal Mining and Regulation of Trading, Transportation & Storage) Rules, 2025, which repeals the existing 2007 regulation to promote transparency in the exploration and transportation of minor minerals.
The Chief Secretary asserted, “These will be the most advanced, IT-enabled regulations for minor minerals in the country.”
Furthermore, the Odisha government has decided to increase the scholarship amounts provided to scheduled tribe and caste students under the “Mukhya Mantri Medhabi Chatra Protsahan Yojana.” The scholarship for SC and ST school students is now set at Rs 16,000 annually for boy boarders and Rs 17,000 for girl boarders (for 10 months). Previously, boys received Rs 10,500 and girls Rs 11,000 per year.
