Bhubaneswar: Odisha Finance Minister Bikram Keshari Arukha unveiled a comprehensive and growth-oriented Annual Budget for the financial year 2024‐25, presenting an outlay of ₹2,55,000 crore. This marks an 11% increase from the Annual Budget of the previous fiscal year, highlighting the state government’s commitment to welfare, development, and investment.
Given the impending General Elections and the Model Code of Conduct likely to be enforced by the Election Commission of India, the Finance Minister presented a Vote-on-Account Budget. This allows the government to allocate funds for the initial four months of the fiscal year 2024‐25, covering existing establishments and ongoing schemes and projects.
Key Aspects of the Budget:
Qualitative Aspects:
The Program Expenditure is set at ₹1,40,000 crore, a substantial increase over the years.
Odisha leads in Capital expenditure proportion to the total budget among major states, with a capital outlay of ₹63,162 crore, constituting about 6.8% of GSDP.
The Own Revenue – GSDP Ratio for 2024-25 (BE) stands at 12.25%, with the state’s revenue contributing around 56% to the total revenue pool.
The Budget maintains a Revenue Surplus projected at 4% of GSDP, while keeping the Fiscal Deficit within the prescribed limit of 3% of GSDP.
Sectoral Highlights:
A. Agriculture & Allied Sector Activities
An outlay of ₹28,944 crore under the Agriculture Budget, 2024-25, reflects a 17% increase from the previous year.
Provisions include a revolving fund of ₹2,000 crore for paddy procurement operations, ₹685 crore for Food Storage & Warehousing-Procurement Operation Support System, and ₹1,935 crore for direct benefit transfers under the KALIA Scheme.
B. Irrigation & Water Use Efficiency
A total outlay of ₹14,467 crore for the irrigation sector, emphasizing the construction of In-stream Storage Structures and the 2nd phase of Parvati Giri Mega Lift Irrigation scheme.
Allocations for flood control embankments, drainage improvement works, and schemes like Mukhyamantri Adibandha Tiari Yojana (MATY)-2.0.
C. Health Sector: Caring for the life
A total allocation of ₹19,959 crore for public healthcare, including provisions for Ama Hospital, Biju Swasthya Kalyan Yojana, and the State Scheme Mukhya Mantri Swasthya Seva Mission.
D. Mission Shakti
₹2,761 crore allocated under the overarching Mission Shakti programme for empowering women and promoting livelihoods.
E. Education Sector: Enriching the life
An allocation of ₹33,865 crore, emphasizing areas such as School and Mass Education, Samagra Sikshya, and Skill Development and Technical Education.
F. Sports & Youth Services
₹1,305 crore allocated for the sports sector, focusing on the development and management of sports infrastructure.
G. Women & Child Development
A total of ₹5,015 crore allocated for various women and child-centric policy and welfare measures.
H. Social Security
₹4,699 crore allocated for social security measures, including support for beneficiaries under Social Security Pension Schemes.
I. Development of SCs, STs, OBCs & Minorities
A significant allocation of ₹58,575 crore for identified schemes in the Programme Budget, addressing the development of SCs, STs, OBCs, and Minorities.
J. Urban Development
An allocation of ₹10,718 crore to transform Urban Odisha, focusing on urban water supply, sanitation, and new city development.
K. Housing
Significant allocations under Pradhan Mantri Awaas Yojana (PMAY)-Gramin, Biju Pucca Ghar, and PMAY-Urban.
L. Drinking Water & Sanitation (Rural)
Investments exceeding ₹8,000 crore for piped drinking water, with allocations under BASUDHA scheme, Jal Jeevan Mission, and Swacch Bharat Abhiyan (Gramin).
M. Wage employment, livelihood, and basic services
₹2,001 crore for MGNREGA, a corpus fund for timely payment of wages, and state support to MGNREGS to address distress migration.
N. Roads, Railways & Transport
Investments of ₹21,004 crore for roads, bridges, airports, and railways, including proposals for road development, Biju Express Way, and development of railway projects.
O. Energy
An allocation of ₹4,352 crore for the energy sector, covering Biju Gram Jyoti Yojana, Deen Dayal Upadhyay Gramin Vidyutikaran Yojana, and renewable energy projects.
P. Future growth engines (Industries & MSMEs)
An outlay of ₹1555 crore for the Industries and MSME sector, including grants, incentives, and support for small-scale industries.
Q. Forest, Environment & Climate Change
₹1219 crore allocated for the forestry sector, emphasizing afforestation, wildlife activities, and environmental conservation.
R. Tourism Development
An allocation of ₹818 crore for the overall development of the tourism sector, focusing on tourist infrastructure and promotion.
S. Planning & Convergence
₹12,043 crore allocated for the Planning & Convergence Department, including funds for MLALAD, Western Odisha Development Council, and critical gap fund.
T. Disaster Management
₹3,900 crore for Disaster Management, covering State Disaster Response and Mitigation Fund (SDRMF) and National Disaster Response and Mitigation Fund (NDRMF).
U. Internal Security and Administration of Justice
₹8,641 crore for the delivery of justice, internal security, crime prevention, and fire services, with provisions for infrastructure development for the judiciary.
V. Odia Language, Culture and Heritage
₹220 crore provided for the promotion of Odia Language, Culture, and Heritage, with allocations for State Museum, Directorate of Culture, and preservation of monuments.
W. Transformation of heritage sites
₹350 crore under Integrated Development of Heritage and Monuments and Tourist Destination, focusing on the ABADHA scheme for Puri’s heritage city development.
This comprehensive budget reflects the state government’s commitment to inclusive development, infrastructure enhancement, and the well-being of its citizens. The allocations across various sectors aim to propel Odisha towards sustained growth and prosperity.
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