Odisha Budget today: Here’s what to expect from last full-fledged budget ahead of 2024 general polls

Odisha Finance Minister Niranjan Pujari will present the last full-year budget on Friday, before the 2024 general elections. It will also be the last full-fledged budget in the ruling BJD's fifth term.

Pujari is expected to announce a spending plan of around Rs 2.30 lakh crore approved by the council of ministers for 2023-24. Last year, the budget was Rs 2 lakh crore.

The government is leaving no stone unturned to woo people of all classes ahead of the 2024 general polls. Expectations are certainly high from the budget as it will be the last full-fledged budget ahead of the elections.

Union Budget 2023: Here are Big Expectations

• Odisha government is expected to focus on infrastructure, social security.

• There could be extra emphasis on agriculture, education, health, rural development, sports, Mission Shakti and others.

• Focus will also be given on irrigation, youth employment and Awas Yojana.

• Special provisions are also expected for Srimandir Parikrama Project, Lingaraj Project and other temple development projects as well.

Odisha Economic Survey Key Points

As per the Economic Survey report, Odisha's economic growth is likely to drop to 7.82 percent in 2022-23. It was around 11 percent in 2021-22.

The state's per capita income is also not satisfactory as per the Economic Survey report. Odisha's present per capita income (2022-23 AE) is Rs 150,676 at current prices against the national average of Rs 170,620 (current prices).

Speaking to OTV, Economist Rajib Sahu said, “Hopefully, the 2023-24 budget will be a progressive one. It will be a big budget of Rs 2.30 lakh crore. The focus will be on more employment generation, increase in GST of state, new industries setup, infrastructure, health and education.”