Bhubaneswar: Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi reviewed the expenditure of various departments at Lok Seva Bhavan, emphasizing the need to utilize at least 85% of the budget by the end of the current financial year (2024-25). This goal is higher than the 81% expenditure achieved in the previous financial year (2023-24).
Majhi acknowledged that spending was hindered by the elections, government transition, and budget presentation in September. Despite this, he found the expenditure of many departments satisfactory. To meet the target, he advised ministers to approve expenditure proposals and clear pending payments under welfare schemes.
The Chief Minister stressed the importance of Programme Expenditure and Capital Expenditure, citing their role in job creation and growth. Odisha’s 6.1% allocation of its Gross Domestic Product (GSDP) to capital expenditure is the highest in the country.
Departments with relatively good expenditure include Agriculture, Fisheries and Animal Resources, Health, Water Resources, Works, Social Security & Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities Department, Supplies Department and Cooperatives Department.
Majhi encouraged other departments to increase their expenditure, ensuring effective utilization of the people’s budget for the people’s benefit.
The meeting was attended by the Minister of Panchayati Raj and Drinking Water and Rural Development Rabi Narayan Naik, Minister of Housing and Urban Development Dr. Krushna Chandra Mohapatra, Minister of Schools and Mass Education, Scheduled Tribes and Scheduled Caste Development and Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities Nityanand Gond, Minister of Transport Bibhuti Bhushan Jena, Minister of Fisheries and Livestock Shri Gokulanand Mallick.
Chief Secretary Manoj Ahuja, Development Commissioner Anu Garg, Additional Chief Secretary to the Chief Minister Nikunj Bihari Dhal, and Additional Chief Secretaries, Principal Secretaries and Secretaries of various departments were present. Principal Secretary of Finance Shashwat Mishra made a presentation on the expenditure of various departments.
