It’s a “People’s Budget” that addresses the Government’s priorities. The focus on agriculture and allied sector is visible as the outlay has increased by 20.89 per cent. I’m glad to note that irrigation has received a major push. It is also investor friendly seeking to actualise the promises of IPRT 2015,” said Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik in his reaction to the State Budget 2016.
leader of Opposition in the Assembly Narasingha Mishra (Congress) termed the Budget as a disappointing one and said there is no provision for the poor, farmers, workers and the unemployed in the Budget.
State BJP president Basant Panda in his reaction to the State Budget said that there is nothing new in it. He said the Budget does address the problems of unemployment and industrialization. Besides, there is no provision to sort out the problems of the teachers and refund the money of the duped investors in chit fund companies.
The hijras, kinnars and third genders have welcomed the Rs 4 crore welfare fund for them earmarked in the State Budget. Calling it as a historic step, the third genders’ union thanked the Naveen Patnaik Government. The fund would bring socio-economic development of about 25,000 persons in the category, said a release.