Odisha Government Unveils Rs 2.65 Lakh Crore Budget with Focus on Agriculture and Women's Empowerment

The Odisha government unveiled a Rs 2.65 lakh crore budget for the 2024-25 fiscal, focusing on agriculture and irrigation. The budget includes significant allocations for women's empowerment and various schemes supporting farmers. Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi emphasized inclusive development, consulting 12,000 people for this 'people’s budget'.

The Odisha government on Thursday presented a Rs 2.65 lakh crore budget for the 2024-25 fiscal year in the state assembly, placing a significant focus on agriculture and irrigation.

The budget for the current financial year is approximately 15 per cent larger than the last year's Rs 2.30 lakh crore estimate, said Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi.

Delivering the BJP government's first budget, Majhi, who also handles the finance portfolio, proposed Rs 33,919 crore for agriculture, marking a 36 per cent increase from the previous year. Programme expenditure was set at Rs 1.55 lakh crore, administrative expenditure at Rs 97,725 crore, and Rs 3,900 crore for Disaster Risk Management Funds.

To empower women swiftly, as per the BJP's election manifesto promises, an allocation of Rs 10,000 crore for the 'Subhadra' financial assistance scheme for women was included.

The budget also earmarked Rs 5,000 crore for the 'Samrudha Krushak Yojana' for farmers and introduced a new scheme, 'CM Kisan', with an outlay of Rs 1,935 crore.

Majhi underscored that the budget is a "people's budget," created with input from 12,000 individuals. Emphasis was placed not only on agriculture but also on industries, health, education, and service sectors. The government aims to prioritize the development of farmers, women, youth, and the economically disadvantaged, ensuring inclusive development across the state.

(With inputs from agencies.)