Odisha approves free textbooks for nearly 29 lakh students, major drainage plan

The Odisha government has taken significant steps to strengthen both educational access and urban infrastructure through twin Cabinet decisions announced recently. The free textbook scheme will benefit nearly 2.87 million students, representing a major push to reduce educational costs for families across the state. The initiative aims to ensure that financial constraints do not impede student access to essential learning materials.

Complementing the education-focused measure, the state Cabinet has sanctioned a ₹500-crore scheme dedicated to modernizing urban drainage infrastructure. This substantial investment is intended to address longstanding challenges related to water management and sanitation in urban areas, reducing vulnerability to waterlogging and related civic issues.

Both initiatives reflect the state government's commitment to addressing critical gaps in public services. The textbook programme is expected to streamline educational delivery and reduce the burden on parents, while the drainage scheme targets infrastructure deficiencies that have historically plagued urban centers during monsoon seasons.

The approvals signal the government's focus on simultaneous investment in human capital development and physical infrastructure, underscoring broader policy priorities to enhance service delivery across multiple sectors in Odisha.