Naveen Expresses Concern over Reduction in Allocation in Critical Sectors in Union Budget, Says It Could Hamper Inclusive Growth

Bhubaneswar: Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik has expressed his concern over the reduction in sectoral allocation in critical sectors in the Union Budget 2022-23 stating that it would hamper the inclusive growth.

Reacting to the Union Budget 2022-23 presented by Union Finance & Corporate Affairs Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, the Odisha CM said, “The sectoral allocation is slashed in critical sectors like agriculture and farmers welfare, higher education, rural development and women & child development. This could hamper inclusive growth”.

Reduction in MGNREGS in a pandemic situation is not going to help poor people, he further said.

“Already, there are serious issues of offtake by FCI leading to dislocation in paddy procurement. Further, reduction in food subsidy under NFSA will put farmers in serious trouble. This needs to be reconsidered”, the CM stressed.

The increasing level of Cess and Surcharge is shrinking the mandated transfers of share tax due to the States. More than 20 percent of the Union Taxes are proposed to be collected through levy of Cess and Surcharge which is against the spirit of co-operative federalism, the CM further said.
The budget has not addressed the price rise and inflation being faced by the people, Naveen said.

“Middle class and poor people are heavily impacted by price rise and inflation. Budget has not addressed price rise being faced by people”, the Odisha CM said.

To compound this further, there is a sharp decline in LPG subsidy. This will affect household economics very badly and women will bear the brunt of LPG price rise, Naveen said.

Even though, Naveen has welcomed the increased allocation under Jal Jivan Mission and PMAY, he expressed his concern that the genuine demands of Odisha on rural housing are neglected, while the same is considered for other States.

He urged the Centre to rectify this injustice being meted out to the poor and the tribal people of Odisha by not sanctioning houses.

He further said, “Odisha is the only State in the country which is more frequently affected by natural calamities and our repeated demand for special consideration in this regard has not been addressed in the budget”.

The Chief Minister expressed happiness that the Central Government has recognized the importance of millet in the Union Budget in the context of declaration of 2023 as International Year of Millets by United Nations.

He said, “The “Odisha Millet Mission” has been a game changer in promoting nutritional security and augmenting farmer’s income. I am happy that Government of India has recognized the importance of millet in the Union Budget in the context of declaration of 2023 as International Year of Millets by United Nations”.

The CM also said that the focus of budget on technology and infrastructure led growth will have positive impact. Proposed technology led development in health and education will help the country to a large extent in this pandemic situation, he added.

The Production Linked Initiative schemes in fourteen sectors and extension of Emergency Credit Line Guarantee Scheme would be helpful in mitigating supply side constraints, the Odisha CM stated.