Budget 2024: Odisha Govt Welcomes Announcements On Tourism; Congress Says ‘Double-Engine Has Betrayed Us’

Bhubaneswar: Hailing the Union Budget for 2024-25 as progressive, the Odisha government on Tuesday welcomed the announcements made for the promotion of tourism sector in the state.

In her reaction to the Union Budget, Deputy Chief Minister Pravati Parida told media that the announcements made by Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman will play a significant role not only in boosting tourism but also in the state’s economic growth.

“I thank the Finance Minister and the Centre for the announcements made for Odisha to further promote and develop this sector. We want to make Odisha one of the top three states in the country, and the tourism sector is already contributing towards this,” she said.

Stating that Odisha has immense tourism potential, Parida said the state government will develop all tourism sites, including Chilika lake and its surroundings, with the Centre’s assistance.

Hailing the budget as growth-oriented, senior BJP leader and Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan said employment, education, skilling, MSME and middle-class have been focused upon in this budget.

He said adequate emphasis has been laid on the development of infrastructure in states like Odisha, Bihar, Jharkhand, and Andhra Pradesh.

However, opposition Congress alleged that Odisha has been betrayed by the BJP-led NDA government in the budget.

Stating that the people of the state had high expectations from the budget, senior Congress leader and former Union Minister Srikant Jena claimed that great injustice has been done to Odisha as the Centre has failed to provide anything concrete for the state.

No concrete proposal has been made for removal of poverty in Odisha and the double-engine government has failed to give justice to the state in the budget, Jena claimed.

In its reaction, FICCI affiliated Utkal Chamber of Commerce and Industry Ltd (UCCIL) said some areas of Odisha have been identified for cluster development, while announcements made for the promotion of tourism are welcome.

“On a scale of 1-10, UCCI will rate this Budget as 6,” the industry body said, adding that customs duties have been revised for certain items for making Indian industry more competitive.

Focus on infrastructure and announcements for the promotion of tourism would go a long way in boosting economic activity in the state, UCCIL said.

The Hotel & Restaurant Association of Odisha (HRAO) expressed happiness and gratitude to the Centre for giving priority to the tourism sector.

Besides places like Bishnupath Temple at Gaya, Mahabodhi Temple in Bodhgaya, Rajgir & Nalanda in Bihar, it is heartening to learn that the Government of India will give priority focus on developing the tourism sector of Odisha. Chairman of HRAO J K Mohanty said in a statement.

Stating that HRAO has always mentioned that Odisha has the highest tourism potential in the country, he said that with support of the government of India and a modified Tourism Policy can definitely push Odisha Tourism to much greater heights.