Low allocations paint a picture of contrast on state's priority areas

Lost Focus Growth engines like tourism, industries, E&IT, science and technology get low allocations Tourism ₹820 crore Industries ₹808 crore MSME ₹758.86 crore Electronics and IT ₹688.83 crore Steel and Mines ₹404.39 crore Science and Technology: ₹353.22 crore

- HEMANT KUMAR ROUT @Bhubaneswar

EVEN as the Odisha government has prioritised tourism, industries, MSME, electronics and IT, science, and technology as pillars of its economic growth, allocations for these sectors in 2025-26 budget paint a contradictory picture.

The state budget, recently presented in the Assembly, has allocated less than ₹1,000 crore each to some of the key departments, raising concerns over the state's ability to build necessary infrastructure and drive sustainable economic expansion.

Among the departments, which have received lowest allocation include Science and Technology (₹353.22 crore), Electronics and IT (₹688.83 crore), MSME (₹758.86 crore), Industries (₹808 crore), Tourism (₹820 crore), Steel and Mines (₹404.39 crore), Odia Language and Literature (₹481.83 crore) and Handlooms, Textiles and Handicrafts (₹266.58 crore).