Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan Welcomes Odisha Budget 2026–27
Bhubaneswar: The Odisha government presented a Rs 3.10 lakh crore budget for 2026–27 in the Assembly, drawing praise from Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.
He described the budget as welfare-oriented and visionary, aligning with the state’s long-term goal of “Developed Odisha 2036” and “Developed India 2047.”
The budget places strong emphasis on education, skill development, industry, agriculture, and tourism, while prioritising social security for marginalised groups, including farmers, women, youth, and SC/ST communities.
Key announcements include new universities in Kendrapara, Jagatsinghpur, Bhadrak, and Jharsuguda; engineering colleges in Paradeep and Balangir; a veterinary college at Chipilima; and World Skill Centre campuses in Sambalpur and Berhampur.
Healthcare infrastructure will be strengthened with the redevelopment of SCB, VIMSAR, and MKCG medical colleges, alongside new Pharma & MedTech parks in Nayagarh and Khordha.
Tourism and cultural initiatives feature prominently, with Rs 1000 crore allocated for a Jagannath Museum & Library in Puri, integrated tourism at Hirakud, and Mahanadi riverfront development.
Welfare schemes such as Kanya Sumangala Yojana, Udyami Yojana, Dalakhai Yojana, and CM Sampad Yojana aim to uplift women, entrepreneurs, displaced communities, and mining-affected regions.
Pradhan emphasised that the Odisha AI Mission and biotechnology initiatives will position the state as a hub for innovation, while infrastructure projects like the Burla Ring Road and the Sambalpur airport expansion will boost connectivity.
