Odisha Assembly Passes Rs 2.65 Lakh Crore Budget for 2024-25 Amid Opposition Walkout

The Odisha Assembly approved the Appropriation Bill, 2024 on Tuesday, amidst a walkout by the opposition BJD and Congress. This bill permits the state government to utilise Rs 2.65 lakh crore from its consolidated fund for the financial year 2024-25.

Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, who also handles the Finance portfolio, highlighted that the budget estimate for 2024-25 is Rs 2.65 lakh crore, marking a 15% increase from the previous year's budget. He noted that the programme budget is projected at Rs 1.55 lakh crore, a 24% rise from last year, and the capital outlay stands at Rs 58,195 crore, which is 6.3% of the GSDP.

Healthcare and Women's Welfare

Majhi stated that Rs 21,200 crore has been allocated for healthcare, representing a 32% increase from last year's budget and accounting for 8% of this year's total budget. Additionally, he mentioned that Rs 75,622 crore has been earmarked for women's welfare in this budget.

The chief minister emphasised his government's zero-tolerance policy towards atrocities against women. He also announced that Prime Minister Narendra Modi will launch the Subhadra scheme in Odisha on September 17. This scheme will provide Rs 50,000 to over one crore women in the state.

Investment Targets and Agricultural Support

The Odisha government aims to attract more than Rs 2.50 lakh crore in domestic investment and over $2 billion in foreign direct investment by 2029. Majhi criticised the previous BJD government for not fulfilling its promise of a Rs 100 per quintal paddy bonus. In contrast, he highlighted that the BJP government decided to procure paddy at Rs 3,100 per quintal, which is Rs 800 above the MSP set by the central government. A provision of Rs 5,000 crore has been made in the current budget for this purpose.

During the debate, senior BJD MLA Arun Sahoo countered BJP's claims that no developmental work was done during BJD's tenure. He asserted that BJD made Odisha a revenue surplus state and handed over a financially sound state to the current government.

Opposition's Critique

Congress legislature party leader Rama Chandra Kadam argued that Odisha ranks low in per capita income despite not being one of India's poorest states. He also pointed out that agricultural production is low and migration rates are high in Odisha. Kadam demanded a response from Majhi regarding increased reservation quotas for SC, ST, and OBC students in medical and engineering admissions.

BJD member Ganeswar Behera criticised BJP's claim of being a double-engine government in Odisha, stating it was not reflected in the state budget. He questioned how BJP's governance could be termed double-engine when there were no significant improvements visible in the budget allocations or outcomes.

Majhi concluded by expressing gratitude to voters for their support during elections and reaffirmed his government's commitment to fulfilling public aspirations through comprehensive efforts across various sectors.

The passage of this bill marks a significant step for Odisha's financial planning for the upcoming fiscal year while highlighting ongoing political debates within the state's legislative assembly.