Bhubaneswar: The budget will help fulfil the dreams, hopes, and aspirations of people from all sections of society and accelerate the state’s progress on the path of development, CM Mohan Charan Majhi said on Friday, adding “We have begun the grand journey towards a Viksit Odisha-2036.“Majhi said the Mukhyamantri Kanya Sumangal Yojana will create a savings instrument of Rs 20,000 in the name of girls born to economically weaker families. Upon completing graduation, each girl will receive Rs 1,00,001.Keeping in mind the govt’s commitment to meet farmers’ needs, Majhi said Rs 42,492 crore has been allocated for agriculture and allied sectors — an increase of 12.3% from last year. Under the Samruddha Krushak Yojana, Rs 6,088 crore has been provided to ensure paddy procurement, and a revolving fund of Rs 5,000 crore has been proposed to ensure timely payment to farmers, he pointed out. Adding that the budget reflects the dreams and determination of Odisha’s 4.5 crore people, the CM said, “Guided by the Fiscal Responsibility and Budget Management Act, 2005, we have crafted a balanced and forward-looking fiscal strategy. Our clear goal is this — development must reach every village, and prosperity must enter every home through efficient utilisation of resources.”Criticising the budget, leader of opposition Naveen Patnaik said, “It sounds to me like a full menu in an empty kitchen. That’s what I feel about this budget.” Naveen said it is quite disappointing that the double-engine govt is taking Odisha in reverse gear after promising the moon to the people of Odisha. “Welcome to the new era where every newborn child in Odisha will be welcomed with a per capita loan burden of nearly Rs 30,000,” Naveen said.
