Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Friday termed the Interim Union Budget as “disappointing” and said Odisha would be hit with Rs 26,342 crore due to low receipts compared to recommendation of the 14 th Finance Commission.
“The 14 th Finance Commission recommended total transfer of Rs 1,84,070 crore to Odisha during the award period (2015-20). However, based on the actual receipts for 2015-18, revised estimates for 2018-19 and Budget Estimates for 2019-20, the State is going to receive only Rs 1,57,828 crore. Thus, the State will be hit with a shortfall of Rs 26,342 crore,” said Chief Minister in his Budget reaction.
He expressed deep disappointment saying the National Social Security Scheme i.e. old-age pension and other pensions, have not been revised at all. The State is covering 48 lakh beneficiaries with Rs 500 per month while Centre is giving Rs 200 per month for 20 lakh beneficiaries only, he said.
“I am also disappointed with the allocation for ST and SC welfare both in infrastructure and education. We have been requesting to restore the Scholarship Funds for SC students which have not been done. The allocation for MGNREGS is lower than the allocation in the revised estimate. This will adversely affect timely wage payments,” he said.
The Budget allocations on rural connectivity, rural housing and drinking water have been reduced or have remained at previous level. This is not encouraging, he said.
However, Patnaik welcomed the Income Tax benefits planned for middle and lower income groups and direct benefit transfer proposed for small and marginal famers on lines of his Government’s KALlA scheme.
He, however, said farmers would have been benefitted more if the quantum of assistance was equal or more than the KALIA Scheme i.e. Rs 10,000 per year. He said there there is nothing for landless poor, sharecroppers and farmers in distress.
Commenting that some initiatives taken towards the MSME sector are encouraging, he said they would not suffice to meet the needs of employment generation in the country.