Agriculture PSUs Transfer ₹6.39 Crore Dividend to Odisha Govt

Bhubaneswar: Reflecting steady financial performance and sound governance, three Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs) functioning under the Department of Agriculture and Farmers Empowerment, Odisha, have transferred a total dividend of ₹6,39,97,589 to the State Government.

The dividend payment has been made in line with the Indian Companies Act, 2013, and the guidelines of the Finance Department, which mandate state PSUs to contribute 30 per cent of their Profit After Tax (PAT) as annual dividends. The amounts were deposited after receiving approval from the respective Boards of Directors and Annual General Meetings of the corporations.

The formal handover of the dividend took place at Lok Seva Bhavan on Tuesday in the presence of Deputy Chief Minister and Minister for Agriculture and Farmers Empowerment and Energy, Shri Kanak Vardhan Singh Deo.

Of the total amount, the Odisha Agro Industries Corporation (OAIC) contributed the highest share of ₹5.23 crore for the 2023–24 financial year. The Odisha State Seeds Corporation Limited (OSSC) paid ₹23.20 lakh pertaining to the 2021–22 financial year, while the Odisha State Cashew Development Corporation Limited (OSCDC) deposited ₹46.51 lakh each for 2022–23 and 2023–24, amounting to ₹93.02 lakh.

The consistent profitability of these agriculture PSUs underlines their important role in supporting farmers, strengthening agricultural infrastructure, and contributing to the state’s economy. Their performance also highlights effective management practices and prudent financial discipline.

A symbolic cheque was presented to the Deputy Chief Minister during the programme. Principal Secretary and Chairman of the Corporations under the Department of Agriculture and Farmers Empowerment, Dr. Arabinda Kumar Padhee, along with senior departmental officials, OAIC officers, OSCDC Managing Director Subrat Kumar Panda, and OSSC Managing Director Niti Ranjan Sen, were present on the occasion.