Odisha CM Holds Pre‑Budget Consultation With Experts, Emphasizes People’s Participation
Bhubaneswar: Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi convened a high‑level pre‑budget consultation on Thursday, engaging more than 50 experts from diverse fields to shape the state’s 2026–27 budget.
Stressing inclusivity, Majhi described the upcoming financial plan as a “people’s budget,” highlighting that citizen input will be central to its formulation.
The consultation brought together former finance ministers, ex‑finance secretaries, industry leaders, youth entrepreneurs, NGOs, fintech professionals, and social workers.
Majhi underscored that budgeting has evolved beyond bureaucratic boundaries, now directly incorporating public suggestions collected via web portals, email, SMS, and WhatsApp.
He cited successful initiatives such as Kanya Bibah Yojana, Shree Jagannath Darshan, and the Cuttack‑Bhubaneswar‑Paradip‑Puri Economic Corridor as examples of policies shaped by grassroots feedback.
Majhi also praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership, noting that combined central and state measures have spurred industrial growth, job creation, and rural economic support.
Departments have been directed to record and evaluate all suggestions for possible inclusion in the 2026–27 budget, marking a step toward participatory governance and inclusive development.
