Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik today described the 2017-18 Union Budget as a "mixed bag" but said it fell short of expectations on many counts even as he welcomed some of the measures announced by Finance Minister Arun Jaitley.
"The initiative related to job creation is one area of serious concern where an adequate focus has not been given. The Union Budget 2017-18 is a mixed bag and falls short of expectations on many counts. Not much has been done to address the adverse impact of demonetisation," he told reporters.
Patnaik said specific concerns of Odisha, specially relating to the development of the KBK region, opening of bank branches in gram panchayats which had no banking facility and meeting the development aspirations of the SCs and STs have not been addressed.
Stating that the Union Budget was a major financial intervention exercise after demonetisation, he said people at large took the brunt of the move to scrap high-value currency.
"I was expecting something spectacular for the common man in the Union Budget," Patnaik said.
The scheme related to the transfer from Centre to the states has been proposed to increase at a meagre rate of 5.5 per cent over the previous budget, he said.
"Considering inflation, in real terms, there is no increase at all. The allocation of funds for schemes relating to rural roads, rural drinking water, education, mid-day meal programme and urban development is almost stagnant," he added.
Special central assistance and Article 275 grant for tribal areas showed a growth of only 6.3 per cent and 2.6 per cent respectively, Patnaik noted, adding that there was "no growth at all" in the allocation of special central assistance for the welfare of the Scheduled Caste as well as social security pensions under the National Social Assistance Programme.
"We welcome some of the measures for the farm sector, specially in dairy processing, and the infrastructure development fund to be set up under NABARD. There is also an increased allocation for rural housing," the BJD chief said.
Stating that these measures were in line with the state government's development priorities, Patnaik said, "However, I would have been personally happy if the interest rate on agricultural credit was reduced to one per cent as has been done by our state government for the benefit of the farmers.
On the allocation for the development of the railways in
Odisha, Patnaik said the state government had demanded Rs 5,870 crore for various railway infrastructure projects.
"We understand that funds to the tune of Rs 5,102 crore have been provided in the budget, which is a meagre increase of 9 per cent over last year's allocation.
"But, what is of real concern is that budgetary allocation for the railways is not being fully spent. In 2016-17, only 39 per cent of the allocation was spent till December 2016. I hope that this trend will change. In fact, we provide 50 per cent funding and land for free in many of our crucial railway projects," he added.
Noting that Odisha made a major contribution to the Railways' earnings, Patnaik said it was therefore, reasonable to expect a major share in terms of projects, new trains, re-modelling of stations and rail-based industries.
On behalf of the people of Odisha, Patnaik said he welcomed the Centre's decision to commemorate the bi-centenary of the 'Paika Bidroha' led by Buxi Jagabandhu.
"I would also complement the Union Finance Minister for the nationwide implementation of the maternity benefit scheme which is a replica of our own Mamta scheme. It is indicative of the success of the state's model scheme which has been adopted at the national level," he said.
Assuring the Centre that Odisha will be fully supportive of every initiative taken to bring transparency in public life, Patnaik said "a small beginning" was indicated in bringing more transparency in political funding.
"We welcome this. I hope this will be taken forward and comprehensive reforms will be brought in after due deliberation in this regard," he added.
