Odia government issues 8 guidelines for restaurants; here's why

Recently, the Odisha government has been working to promote rich Odia cuisine through different platforms. In April 2026, the Odisha government appointed chef Ranveer Brar as the brand ambassador for promoting Odia cuisine.

According to reports, the state government also decided to choose MasterChef India finalists Anju and Manju, as well as Season 6 winner Abinas Nayak, to promote traditional Odia food. Reportedly, the state’s Tourism Department signed a formal agreement regarding this in the presence of Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi during the recent Odia Paksha celebrations. In the latest move, to promote Odia cuisine restaurants in and outside Odisha, the state government has issued necessary guidelines for implementation of the new initiative under the Odisha Tourism (Amendment) Policy, 2026.According to the PDF file available on the Department of Tourism, Odisha website, they have set eight conditions for restaurants to be eligible to seek incentives under the policy for promoting the state’s culinary heritage. Scroll down to read the details.The policy measures target restaurants serving authentic Odia cuisine and offer both capital expenditure (CAPEX) and operational expenditure (OPEX) support to qualifying establishments, government officials say.

CAPEX support will reimburse up to thirty percent of eligible costs, subject to a maximum of Rs 5 crore per unit, disbursed in staggered installments over three years.

Eligibility criteria for incentives

Under the new guidelines, restaurants must meet clear eligibility conditions to access incentives. Establishments need clear land ownership or a valid lease agreement, a minimum seating capacity of twenty-five guests and a fully functioning, hygienic kitchen, officials state.Additional conditions include a minimum investment of Rs 20 lakh (excluding land and building), trained staff experienced in traditional Odia culinary practices, clean public conveniences, parking facilities compliant with building bylaws and menu cards displaying Odia cuisine offerings in both Odia and English.

Other components and operational incentives

CAPEX support covers furnishing, interiors and kitchen equipment, with repair and renovation included for restaurants within Odisha.

OPEX incentives aim to reduce operational costs with reimbursements for electricity and state GST during the first three years of operation, capped at Rs 2 lakh per unit per month, according to government guidelines.Restaurants outside Odisha can claim CAPEX support for furnishing, interiors and kitchen equipment, and OPEX reimbursements for twice their monthly electricity charges for three years.

Scope and selection of cities

The incentives apply in government-notified tourist destinations within Odisha and selected locations outside the state.

These include major metro cities such as Mumbai, Delhi, Bengaluru, Chennai and Kolkata, with a limit of five units per city, and prominent tourist destinations like Agra, Varanasi, Goa, Kochi and Jaipur, with a cap of two units per location.An Odia Culinary Committee constituted by the Tourism department will verify incentive claims and ensure compliance with the policy requirements, officials add.The move is part of a broader state effort to promote Odisha’s cultural and culinary heritage and encourage authentic regional dining experiences both within and beyond the state’s borders.Images Courtesy: istoc