Odisha Cabinet Approves Gopalpur Port Share Transfer, Announces Reforms for Ex-Agniveers

Bhubaneswar: The Odisha Cabinet on Thursday approved the transfer of equity shares of Gopalpur Ports Ltd (GPL) to Adani Ports and Special Economic Zone Limited (APSEZ). The shares, previously held by Shapoorji Pallonji Port Maintenance Private Limited and Odisha Stevedores Limited, will now be transferred to APSEZ. This decision is part of a broader plan to boost the development and expansion of the port.

The state government has authorized the transfer of 95% of GPL’s equity shares to APSEZ, with 56% coming from Shapoorji Pallonji and 39% from Odisha Stevedores. The Cabinet also gave the green light to the signing of a Revised Concession Agreement between the Directorate of Ports & Inland Waterways, Commerce & Transport Department, and Gopalpur Ports Ltd.

The decision is expected to further strengthen the port infrastructure in Odisha, with the Adani Group’s involvement playing a crucial role in enhancing the state’s maritime capabilities.

Opportunities for Ex-Agniveers in Odisha Uniform Services

In another significant decision, the Cabinet approved the framing of the Odisha Ex-Agniveers (Recruitment to Uniform Services) Rules, 2024. This initiative aims to provide ex-Agniveers—former personnel of the Agnipath scheme—with ample opportunities to join various uniformed services, such as the police, forest, excise, and fire departments.

The state government has also approved a 10% horizontal reservation for ex-Agniveers in all Group ‘C’ and Group ‘D’ posts in direct recruitment within uniformed services. This reservation will be in addition to the existing reservation for ex-servicemen, provided the ex-Agniveers meet the required qualifications and possess an Agniveer certificate.

Amendment to OCS(RA) Rules, 2020

The Cabinet also approved an amendment to the Odisha Civil Service (Rehabilitation Assistance) Rules, 2020. Under the current rules, only unmarried daughters and unmarried stepdaughters of deceased government employees were eligible for compassionate appointments. The amendment will now allow married daughters and married stepdaughters to be considered for compassionate appointments, provided they can prove their dependency on their parents.

Chief Secretary Mohan Ahuja, addressing the media after the Cabinet meeting, said, “This change will ensure that daughters, regardless of their marital status, receive equal consideration for compassionate appointments, which is an essential step towards gender equality.”