Odisha Budget: Thrust Likely On Social Sector Spending, Health and Infra Development In Focus

Bhubaneswar: Odisha Finance Minister Niranjan Pujari will present the Budget for the financial year 2023-24 in the State Assembly today. The size of the State Budget is likely to be of around Rs 2.3 lakh crore, about Rs 30 thousand crore more than the last budget. The thrust this time will be on various social sector spendings. CM Naveen Patnaik led Odisha Government is likely to increase allocation for infrastructure development projects. The focus on spending for Health, education and agriculture is also likely to continue and get more allocation in the budget this year. Funds for irrigation projects, School and Health Infrastructure development under the flagship 5T Initiatives program is likely to get enhanced resources. The Government has already announced the up gradation of 147 Hospitals under the 5T Initiatives in the state.

This will be the last full budget of this government before the 2024 elections. The government is likely to introduce some new initiatives for the farmer community in the Budget today. Mission Shakti Department is also likely to get higher allocation in the Budget as the government wants to strengthen the financial prowess of the women led SHGs of the state and increase their contribution to the state’s economy. On the industries front, the Government is likely to increase spending on industrial infrastructure development to attract investments and materialize the intents received in the Mega Make In Odisha Conclave.