Odisha BJP Government Presents First Budget, Renames 40 BJD Schemes

Among the renamed schemes is the popular ‘KALIA’ scheme for farmers, now called CM-Kisan, and the Biju Swasthya Kalyan Yojana (BSKY), a successful health insurance scheme, which has been renamed Gopabandhu Jana Arogya Yojana. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and other central BJP leaders had criticized the previous Naveen Patnaik government for not implementing the Centre’s flagship Ayushman Bharat-Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB_PM_JAY) in Odisha.

The new budget integrates this scheme with the state’s Gopabandhu Jana Arogya Yojana to provide cashless healthcare.

Other notable changes include renaming the Aahaar Yojana, which provided meals at Rs.5, to Sri Anna Yojana, and the Make in Odisha scheme to Utkarsha Yojana.

This move mirrors the Modi government’s strategy of renaming welfare schemes previously named after Nehru-Gandhi family members. Recently, the Odisha sports department had to revert its decision to drop Biju Patnaik’s name from the state’s sports award after backlash, maintaining it as the Biju Patnaik Sports Award.

Economic Outlook
The budget and economic survey highlight the stable economy inherited from the previous government. The state’s economy size is Rs. 8.3 lakh crore as per the 2023-24 estimate, growing at 8.5 per cent in 2023-24 compared to 7.9 per cent in 2022-23. Odisha’s economy ranks 13th among 17 major states, with a per capita income of Rs. 1,61,437, which is 12.4 per cent less than India’s average.

Budget Highlights
The 2024-25 budget presented is Rs. 2,65,000 crore, a 15 per cent increase from the previous year. Key allocations include:

• Agriculture and allied sectors: Rs. 33,919 crore (36% increase)
• Public healthcare: Rs. 21,000 crore (8% of the state budget)
• Education: Rs. 35,536 crore
• SC/ST development and OBCs and minorities: Rs. 63,299 crore

New initiatives include the Subhadra Yojana, providing Rs.50,000 per woman, with a budget of Rs.10,000 crore. The Mahanadi River Front Development Scheme, inspired by Ahmedabad’s Sabarmati Riverfront, is allocated Rs. 50 crore.

Political Reactions
BJD president and Leader of Opposition Naveen Patnaik criticized the BJP-led state and union governments, calling the state budget a rebranding of over 40 BJD-era schemes. He also expressed disappointment with the union budget.

The BJD has been vocal in its criticism, recently targeting the BJP over an incident involving Governor Raghubar Das’s son and a Raj Bhavan employee, causing a walkout during the Governor’s Assembly address.