Bhubaneswar: Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, who holds the Finance portfolio, presented a robust state budget of Rs 2.65 lakh crore for 2024-25 fiscal in the Odisha Assembly on Thursday.
The size of the budget is about 15 per cent more than the budgetary estimates of Rs 2,30,000 crore for 2023-24.
Presenting the maiden budget of the BJP government in the House, the Chief Minister said the government has proposed an outlay of Rs 33,919 crore under Agriculture Budget, which is about 36% more than the Budget Estimate for 2023-24.
Similarly, an outlay of Rs 10,000 crore has been proposed for Subhadra scheme with an aim to ensure speedy empowerment of women in the state.
Describing the proposals as a “people’s” budget, Majhi said before preparing it, the government had taken suggestions from various stakeholders and common people. As many as 12,000 people were consulted in the last few days to prepare the annual budget.
The CM said that the budget focuses on agriculture, industries, health, education and service sectors. Development of farmers, women, youth, and poor has been prioritised.
“People have given an opportunity to us to serve them. They have a lot of expectations. We will fulfill all their aspirations. Inclusive development is our objective,” said Majhi.
The Budget, he said, has been prepared on Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s principles of ‘Sabka Sath, Sabka Vikash, Sabka Biswas, and Sabka Prayas.’
Stating that a Viksit Odisha is the main objective, Majhi said GSDP is expected to rise at 8 per cent.
Underlining the need for speedy development of agriculture, the CM said an outlay of Rs 5,000 crore has been proposed for Samrudha Krushak Yojana announced for farmers.
The Chief Minister also proposed a new scheme ‘CM Kisan’ for farmers with an outlay of Rs 1935 crore in the state budget.
Describing Lord Jagannath as the main identity of Odhsha, Majhi said major allocations have been proposed for the promotion of Shree Jagannath Culture and Odia Asmita. A corpus fund of Rs 500 crore has been created for Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA).
Similarly, a corpus fund of Rs 200 crore has been made for Odia Asmita, he said, adding that Mukhya Mantri Kalakara Sahayata Yojana has been provide with an outlay of Rs 72 crore, while Rs 15 crore is proposed for the conservation and protection of monuments.
With adequate emphasis on strengthening urban transport, the budget proposed an outlay of Rs 1,000 crore for Bhubaneswar Metro Rail project.
Similarly, Rs 918 crore has been proposed for new city development programme, while Rs 200 crore has been allocated for land bank scheme.
An amount of Rs 600 crore has been allocated for the development of railway projects in the state, while Rs 6180 crore is proposed for road development project.
Budget Highlights:
