Odisha Govt Presents Rs 1.39 Lakh Cr Budget For 2019-20 Fiscal Year

Bhubaneswar: The Odisha Government on Friday presented a budget of Rs 1.39 lakh crore for the financial year 2019-20.

The highest budgetary allocation of Rs 20,714 crore has been made for the agriculture sector, while Rs 5611 crore has been earmarked for the flagship Kalia programme. Beneficiaries under the scheme have been increased from 50 lakh to 75 lakh.

The administrative expenditure has been pegged at Rs 57,310 crore and the programme expenditure at Rs 74,600 crore.

“The aspirations of the people of Odisha have been reflected in the budget. Two of the major manifesto promises  –  to expand the Kalia scheme and to provide health cover to women up to Rs 10 lakh have been fulfilled in the budget, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik said after the budget presentation.

Key takeaways from the budget presented in the Odisha Assembly by Finance Minister Niranjan Pujari: 

*Total budgetary allocation for the Health and Family Welfare Dept has been increased by 10 per cent to Rs 6,828 crore.

*The budget has proposed interest-free crop loan up to Rs one lakh. An amount of Rs 800 crore has been earmarked for the purpose.

*Budgetary allocation for Women and Child Development and Mission Shakti stands at Rs 3457.28 crore.

*Allocation for Education and Skill Development stands at 19,492 crore.

*To ensure electricity for all, Rs 840 crore has been proposed under the Biju Gram Jyoti Yojana.

*For 2019-20, Rs 100 crore has been earmarked for the Gangadhar Meher Lift Canal System.

*Rs 540 crore has been allocated for completion of 20,000 deep bore wells.

*The government is targetting 1000 lift irrigation points at a cost of Rs 400 crore.

*The disaster response fund has been pegged at Rs 4,600 crore and transfer to local bodies is Rs 6,490 crore.