Bhubaneswar: Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi today urged Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman to sanction Rs 10,000 crore of investment to create world-class tourism infrastructure across the State.
“I request the Government of India to announce a special package for development of tourism in Odisha in the budget of FY 2025-26,” he demanded.
The Chief Minister raised this demand during the pre-budget consultation meeting at Jaisalmer in Rajasthan today.
The Chief Minister also urged the Union Finance Minister to sanction two new industrial townships for Gopalpur (Salt Pan Land) and Jharsuguda to accelerate economic growth in southern and western Odisha respectively.
He also sought the support of the Centre for development of new townships in the State. Odisha’s urbanization is much lower than the national average. Cities are the engines of growth and migration of large populations from villages to cities is inevitable, he said.
This requires huge capital investment for which support from the Union Government will be necessary. The Union Finance Minister is requested to consider launching a new scheme for supporting urbanization of States like Odisha, which have low levels of urbanization.
He also demanded for revision of guidelines for Special Assistance to States for Capital Investment (SACI), 2024-25. In the Union Budget 2024-25, the allocation under SACI has been enhanced to Rs 1.50 lakh crore, which has benefited all States including Odisha, Majhi pointed out.
However, the united allocation under Part-I of SACI, 2024-25 constitutes only 37 percent of total allocation and the balance 63 percent is linked to sectoral reforms.
Hence, in order to have predictability of fund flow and enhanced utilization for CAPEX, it is requested to allocate at least 60% of the total allocation under SACI, 2025-26 under untied Part-I while allocating remaining funds for sectoral reforms, he demanded.
He further said, “Prime Minister of India has stated that Odisha will be the growth engine of the country in coming years. To implement his vision, we seek support from the Union Government for some very crucial projects such as to speed up Large-scale infrastructure projects such as Industrial Parks and Corridors, Electricity Grids, Railway Infrastructure – including Dedicated Freight Corridors, Roads and Expressways, Ports and Airports.”
He also seeks Union government’s support to speed up major Central Projects like Sagarmala Project, East Coast Economic Corridor and National Waterway-5, which will significantly augment Odisha’s industrial development.
There is a need for central assistance to introduce a dedicated central scheme under the visionary ‘Purvodaya’ initiative to support critical infrastructure development in eastern states, including Odisha, the CM stated.
Shri Majhi further demanded financial Support for industrialization in Aspirational District, establishment of a Rare Earths Complex in Odisha.
The Chief Minister also demanded funding the balance work under Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM)
In the current financial year, release of Central Assistance to SNA accounts under Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) is much lower than the current year’s requirement. The available funds under the scheme have already been exhausted.
In order to complete targeted projects before the coming summer and expedite the progress of all projects under JJM scheme, he urged the Union Finance Minister for adequate budget provision under the scheme and timely release of funds.
Speaking about the Health & Education sector, he said, “A new government took charge six months ago after 24 years of rule of a regional party. The expectations of the people are very high. People of Odisha want to see transformation in healthcare, education and infrastructure.”
The Union Finance Minister was urged for inclusion of 11 uncovered blocks of Mayurbhanj and Keonjhar districts under Aspirational Blocks Programme in addition to the 29 blocks approved earlier.