Dharmendra Pradhan hails Odisha Budget as visionary roadmap

Bhubaneswar, Feb 20 : Dharmendra Pradhan has described the Odisha Budget 2026–27 as a welfare-oriented and forward-looking blueprint that charts a clear roadmap towards a “Developed Odisha.”

The budget, presented in the State Assembly by Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, proposes an outlay of approximately Rs 3.10 lakh crore, focusing on inclusive growth, infrastructure expansion, and sectoral advancement across the state.

Taking to social media platform X, Pradhan said the financial plan reflects the developmental vision of the double-engine government under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He expressed confidence that the budget would meet the aspirations of the poor, farmers, women, youth, Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, and other disadvantaged sections.

Highlighting key announcements, Pradhan said the budget prioritises education, skill development, industry, agriculture, healthcare, tourism, and infrastructure. In the education sector, new universities have been proposed in Kendrapara, Jagatsinghpur, Bhadrak, and Jharsuguda districts. Two government engineering colleges will be established in Paradip and Balangir, along with a College of Veterinary Sciences at Chipilima.

Two new campuses of World Skill Centres will be set up in Sambalpur and Berhampur with an investment of Rs 278 crore, in line with the National Education Policy 2020. The redevelopment of SCB, Bhimsar, and MKCG Medical Colleges has also been announced. Additionally, the Odisha Biotechnology Research Centre and Pharma and MedTech Parks will be established in Nayagarh and Khordha.

The budget further proposes upgrading Veer Surendra Sai University of Technology and Odisha University of Technology and Research into world-class technical institutions. The Odisha State Innovation Mission aims to create new opportunities for youth and promote entrepreneurship.

Special economic clusters have been proposed in the Bargarh-Jharsuguda-Sambalpur, Berhampur-Chhatrapur-Gopalpur, and Jajpur-Koraput-Sunabeda regions, modeled on the Bhubaneswar-Cuttack-Puri-Paradeep development corridor. Infrastructure projects such as the Burla Ring Road and the upgradation of the Jamadarpali airstrip into an airport are expected to boost connectivity in western Odisha. An allocation of Rs 10 crore has been made for initiatives under the Rare Earth Corridor.

Among cultural initiatives, the proposal to establish the Shri Jagannath Museum and Library at a cost of Rs 1,000 crore has drawn attention, alongside plans to transform Puri into a global tourism hub. The development of the Mahanadi coastal area, the Odisha Home Stay Establishment Scheme, and the Tourism Land Bank Scheme are expected to strengthen the tourism sector.

The budget also introduces welfare schemes such as ‘Udyami Yojana’ for nano entrepreneurs, ‘Mukhyamantri Kanya Sumangal Yojana,’ ‘Dalkhai Yojana’ to address distressed migration, and ‘CM Sampada Yojana’ for mining-affected areas. Incentives for kendu leaf workers and the launch of a State AI Mission are aligned with the broader goals of Developed Odisha 2036 and Developed India 2047.

Pradhan said the budget lays a strong foundation for sustainable and inclusive growth, positioning Odisha firmly on the path of comprehensive development.