Naveen hails Odisha Budget; Opposition terms ‘disappointing’

Bhubaneswar: Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Friday said that the annual Budget was pro-people and pro-poor.

“It’s a pro-people, pro-poor and balanced budget with a strong focus on development. It will foster equitable and inclusive growth. I hope this budget will fulfil the aspirations of the people of Odisha,” Patnaik told reporters in his Budget reactions.

Finance Minister Sashi Bhusan Behera presented an annual Budget of Rs 1,20,028 crore for the 2018-19 financial year, an increase of 12.3 percent over last year, in the state Assembly on Friday.

Behera said that total outlay of Rs 1.20,028 crore would be financed through revenue receipts of Rs 1,00,200 crore and borrowing and other receipts of Rs 19,678 crore.

The Minister also presented a separate budget of Rs 16,765 crore for the agriculture sector.

However, the opposition Congress and BJP termed the budget disappointing.

“The budget is disappointing in several counts. It has nothing for farmers and labourers. It failed to address the growing unemployment problem while the western Odisha and KBK districts are ignored,” said leader of Opposition Narasingh Mishra.

BJP leader Pradeep Purohit said the budget is directionless.

“It has failed the address the plights of farmers. Besides, it has no provision for the youth who seeking employment,” said Purohit.