Odisha Assembly Passes ₹2.65 Lakh Crore Appropriation Bill Amid Opposition Walkout

Amid a walkout by the opposition, the Odisha Assembly passed the Appropriation Bill, 2024, allowing the state government to allocate ₹2.65 lakh crore for financial year 2024-25. Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi outlined major budget provisions, including significant investments in healthcare and paddy procurement for farmers, and emphasized the government's zero-tolerance policy towards atrocities against women.

Amidst a walkout by the opposition parties BJD and Congress, the Odisha Assembly on Tuesday passed the Appropriation Bill, 2024. This Bill authorizes the state government to allocate ₹2.65 lakh crore from its consolidated fund for the financial year 2024-25.

Addressing the assembly, Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, who also handles the Finance portfolio, highlighted that the budget estimation for 2024-25 is ₹2.65 lakh crore, marking a 15% increase from the previous year's budget. The programme budget is capped at ₹1.55 lakh crore, a 24% hike from last year, while the capital outlay stands at ₹58,195 crore, comprising 6.3% of the GSDP.

Majhi discussed plans for substantial investments in healthcare, with a budget allocation of ₹21,200 crore, representing a 32% rise from the prior year. The government aims to procure paddy at ₹3,100 per quintal, significantly higher than the MSP set by the central government. An outlay of ₹75,622 crore has been earmarked for women, reflecting the government's zero-tolerance stance towards women's atrocities.

(With inputs from agencies.)