Odisha CM Mohan Charan Majhi Presents Rs 2.90 Lakh Crore Budget for FY 2025-26 with Focus on Key Sectors

Odisha's Chief Minister, Mohan Charan Majhi, unveiled a Rs 2.90-lakh crore budget for the 2025-26 fiscal year. The budget prioritises infrastructure, agriculture, and irrigation. Majhi, who also serves as the finance minister, highlighted the focus on sectors like urban development, capital investment, and industrialisation. This marks the BJP government's first comprehensive budget since taking office last year.

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The budget allocates Rs 1,70,000 crore for programme expenditure, making up over 58.62% of the total budget. The capital outlay stands at Rs 65,012 crore, which is 6.11% of the Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP). Majhi stated that this proportion of capital expenditure is the highest among major Indian states.

Focus on Agriculture and Rural Development

Recognising agriculture's importance, Majhi allocated Rs 37,838 crore to agriculture and allied sectors. This represents a 12% increase from the previous year. He noted that nearly half of the state's workforce relies on agriculture, with 80% residing in rural areas.

The budget includes Rs 2,020 crore for the CM Kisan Yojana and Rs 600 crore for promoting millets through the Shree Anna Abhiyan. These initiatives aim to support farmers and boost agricultural productivity across Odisha.

Sectoral Allocations and New Initiatives

Among various departments, finance received the largest allocation of Rs 63,511.91 crore. School and mass education were allotted Rs 31,185.47 crore, while panchayat raj and drinking water received Rs 28,451 crore. Health and family welfare were allocated Rs 22,741 crore.

Majhi announced several new initiatives in this budget. These include a Rs 30-crore Shree Jagannath Darshan Yojana for financially constrained devotees to visit Puri's Shree Jagannath Temple. Additionally, a Maa Tarini Temple complex development plan in Keonjhar was proposed with an estimated cost of Rs 225 crore.

Tourism and Infrastructure Development

The tourism sector received an allocation of Rs 820 crore. This funding focuses on infrastructure development, community empowerment, and sustainable tourism practices to enhance Odisha's appeal as a tourist destination.

Other notable initiatives include the Antyodaya Gruha Yojana with Rs 2,603 crore and the Subhadra Surakhya Yojana with Rs 153 crore. The Southern Odisha Development Council was allocated Rs 200 crore to promote regional development.

The Swachha Odisha programme received Rs 261 crore to improve sanitation across the state. Meanwhile, Samrudha Sahara was allocated Rs 400 crore to support urban development projects.

The revenue surplus is projected at 3% of GSDP while fiscal deficit is expected at 3.2%. Year-end debt stock should remain at 12.7% of GSDP. Majhi assured that the budget complies with Fiscal Responsibility and Budget Management norms.