Ruling-BJD likely to present populist budget for 2018-19

Bhubaneswar: As the ruling party will present its last budget ahead of the 2019 general elections, all eyes are set on the possible framework of the budget.

As per observers, the budget, which is expected to be around Rs 1.20 lakh crore, will focus on education, health, road communication, drinking water and rural infrastructure development.

To woo farmers and middle class, the budget will have special provisions, sources added.

Odisha Finance Minister Sashibhusan Behera said, “As scheduled programs will not get over before March 31, the State government will go for a vote-on-account budget for one month on March 29.”

He informed, the government will table the final budget on March 23 in the Assembly for discussion.

Meanwhile, Opposition is keeping its list ready to corner the ruling party during the Budget session of the State Assembly.

Opposition chief whip and Congress leader Tara Prasad Bahinipati said, “Several issues including deteriorating law and order situation, rising violence against women, increasing corruption will be raised on the floor of the House.”

Speaking on similar lines, BJP State chief Basant Panda said, “Scarcity of drinking water and Kunduli incident will be the key issues during the session.”

On the other hand, the ruling party informed that it is ready to counter the Opposition and will rake up issues like Polavaram, decline in Central assistance, special category state status and MSP hike.

“The ruling party has nothing to worry about as we are ready for discussion on any issue,” BJD spokesperson Debi Prasad Mishra said.