Bhubaneswar: Odisha Chief Secretary Anu Garg on Thursday reviewed the state’s financial performance, budget expenditure and preparations for the 2027-28 annual Budget at a high-level meeting of departmental secretaries held at Kharavel Bhawan here.
The meeting, attended by Development Commissioner and Additional Chief Secretary Deoranjan Kumar Singh, Additional Chief Secretaries, Principal Secretaries, Commissioners and Secretaries of various departments, also discussed the forthcoming supplementary Budget for 2026-27 and implementation of public service delivery reforms.
Reviewing the state’s financial performance up to October 31, officials informed that overall expenditure against the approved Budget had increased by 9.9 per cent compared to the corresponding period last year. Programme expenditure registered an 11 per cent rise, while capital expenditure and infrastructure-sector spending grew by 27.2 per cent and 13.5 per cent, respectively.
Garg directed departments to accelerate implementation of budgetary programmes and ensure timely utilisation of approved allocations. She stressed that the 2027-28 annual Budget should reflect priority sectors and align with the long-term objectives of Developed Odisha 2036 and Developed India 2047.
Emphasising greater investment in the social sector, she called for expediting expenditure in areas such as social security, education, healthcare, labour welfare, Panchayati Raj and drinking water, women and child development, Mission Shakti, tribal development and skill development.
At the outset, the Chief Secretary reviewed the state’s major achievements and development initiatives from early October to November 12. These included the inauguration of the RBI Data Centre by the Prime Minister, groundbreaking ceremonies for industrial projects at Kalinganagar, renewable energy investment proposals worth Rs 1.17 lakh crore and the signing of 18 memoranda of understanding (MoUs).
The review also covered major Cabinet decisions, distribution of appointment letters to 2,067 candidates, an improvement in the conviction rate in anti-corruption cases to 65 per cent, and the launch of the Pension Management Portal.
The expansion of the third phase of the Adarsh Primary School scheme covering 630 schools and the performance of Puri, Bhubaneswar and Asika in the Swachh Survey were among the other initiatives highlighted. The gold medal-winning performances of the Indian men’s and women’s hockey teams at the Asian Games were also noted.
The Chief Secretary further reviewed ongoing relief and rehabilitation measures for people affected by Cyclone Arnab and the subsequent floods in Ganjam district, directing the concerned departments to expedite the process.
The meeting also reviewed the implementation of the Business Reforms Action Plan under the Ease of Doing Business initiative and the delivery of online services under the Odisha Right to Public Services Act, 2012.
According to the review, 371 of the 451 notified public services across 32 departments are currently available online, while the remaining 80 continue to be delivered offline. The auto-appeal mechanism is operational for 241 services, 265 services are covered under the Central Monitoring System (CMS), and 208 services have been integrated with the Ama Sathi WhatsApp chatbot.
Departments were advised to take necessary steps to bring the remaining offline services onto online platforms. The meeting also stressed improved inter-departmental coordination, effective functioning of the auto-appeal mechanism and timely delivery of services to citizens.
Emphasis was also laid on coordinated administration, cleanliness and strengthening public service delivery mechanisms. Secretaries of various departments shared their views on the issues discussed.
