CM Majhi Holds Pre-Budget Consultation with Experts, Stresses Public Participation in Budget 2026–27

Bhubaneswar: Reiterating his government’s focus on participatory governance, Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Thursday held a pre-budget consultation with more than 50 experts from diverse sectors, asserting that the State Budget for 2026–27 will be shaped by public inputs to reflect the aspirations of the people.

Addressing the consultation meeting in Bhubaneswar, the Chief Minister said the process of budget preparation has moved beyond the Secretariat and reached the people directly, making citizens’ opinions central to policy formulation and budgetary priorities. He remarked that his government believes the voice of the people to be the voice of God and is committed to incorporating public opinion into governance.

Appealing to experts, civil society representatives and delegates from various fields, Majhi urged them to provide constructive and thoughtful suggestions on government programmes and upcoming announcements. He assured that all inputs received would be carefully examined and integrated to make the 2026–27 budget a truly people-centric one, prioritising the welfare of Odisha’s residents.

Highlighting the impact of public participation on governance, the Chief Minister said the recently launched Chief Minister’s Kanya Bibaha Yojana was conceptualised based on public feedback. He added that proposed initiatives such as the Jagannath Darshan programme and the Cuttack–Bhubaneswar–Paradip–Puri Economic Corridor have also emerged from suggestions received from citizens. He noted that policies and schemes are being continuously refined based on public responses.

Majhi further stated that under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Odisha has received significant support for industrialisation, employment generation and overall economic growth. He said pro-people initiatives of the Central Government, combined with focused interventions by the State Government for women and farmers, have helped energise the rural economy.

Referring to the Union Budget 2026–27, the Chief Minister said several measures beneficial to Odisha have been announced, adding that the State is receiving national priority under the Prime Minister’s guidance.

He also pointed out that a large number of suggestions are being received through web portals, email, SMS and WhatsApp as part of the budget preparation process. He directed departments to meticulously document and consider all inputs, reiterating that in a people’s government, citizens’ voices will remain paramount.

The consultation meeting was attended by over 50 experts, including former Finance Ministers Prafulla Ghadei and Niranjan Pujari, former Finance Secretaries Ardhendu Sarangi, A K Tripathi and R N Senapati, representatives from the Chamber of Commerce and Young Entrepreneurs Association, NGO members, Fintech CEOs, social workers and the Vice President of CREDAI.

Deputy Chief Minister Pravati Parida, Chief Secretary Anu Garg, Development Commissioner D K Singh, Additional Chief Secretary to the Chief Minister Saswata Mishra, Finance Secretary Sanjeeb Kumar Mishra and other senior officials were also present at the meeting.