Bhubaneswar, Dec 6: The Odisha government has approved two major schemes aimed at boosting silk production and strengthening rural industries in the state.

Parliamentary Affairs Minister Mukesh Mahaling informed the Assembly on Saturday that the initiatives — the Chief Minister Silk Development Scheme and the Chief Minister Weaving Industry Development Scheme — were cleared during the Cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Friday.

Mahaling said the Cabinet approved a total of six proposals.

Under the Chief Minister Silk Development Scheme, the government will invest Rs 274 crore over five years to enhance the state’s sericulture sector through upgraded infrastructure and skill-development programmes.

The scheme aims to promote ethical silk production, including Ahimsa (non-violent) silk, with a focus on silkworm seed preparation, species conservation, and incentives for farmers. Cooperative societies will be involved in improving market access and preventing distress sales, ensuring sustainable growth in the sector, he added.

The Cabinet also cleared the Chief Minister Weaving Industry Development Scheme, under which Rs 490 crore will be spent over five years to attract investment, strengthen local textile industries, and generate employment.

Incentives will be extended to new textile manufacturing units as part of efforts to position Odisha as an emerging weaving hub. The scheme will align with the Odisha Apparel and Technical Textile Policy 2022 and the Industrial Policy Resolution 2015, Mahaling said.

Additionally, the Cabinet approved the restructuring of the Odisha Fisheries Service Cadre and adopted the Odisha Pharma and Medical Device Policy 2025. This policy will support the establishment of the Odisha Pharma Park and the Odisha MedTech Park, with the Odisha Pharma Development Cell serving as the nodal agency.