In a move to democratise the budgeting process, Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi today convened a pre-budget consultation meeting with over 50 experts from diverse fields, emphasising that the upcoming 2026-27 state budget will be shaped by public input to truly reflect the aspirations of the people.
The meeting, held at the Lok Seva Bhawan Convention Hall, saw the Chief Minister underscoring the government’s commitment to participatory governance. “Our government is the people’s government. The voice of the people is the voice of God,” CM Majhi stated, highlighting how the budget preparation has shifted from bureaucratic confines to direct engagement with citizens. He assured that all suggestions received would be analysed and incorporated to make the budget a ‘people’s budget’ in the real sense, prioritising the welfare of Odisha’s residents.
CM Majhi pointed to recent initiatives like the Chief Minister’s Kanya Bibah Yojana, which was formulated based on public feedback. Upcoming programs, such as the Shree Jagannath Darshan initiative and the Cuttack-Bhubaneswar-Paradip-Puri Economic Corridor plan, were also cited as examples of policies derived from grassroots opinions. The CM stressed that public sentiment guides not only new schemes but also necessary modifications to existing policies and programs.
Praising Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visionary leadership, CM Majhi noted that Odisha has witnessed significant industrialisation, job creation, and economic growth under his guidance. He highlighted how central government measures, combined with state efforts focused on women and farmers, have invigorated the rural economy. The 2026-27 central budget also includes several provisions beneficial to Odisha, ensuring the state receives national priority.
To broaden input, the government has invited suggestions through a web portal, email, SMS, and WhatsApp, with a substantial number of thoughtful responses already pouring in. “In a people’s government, people’s opinions will be given importance, and plans will be prepared according to their needs,” CM Majhi affirmed.
During the session, the Chief Minister directed departments to record and evaluate the valuable suggestions from the meeting for potential inclusion in the budget. Attendees included former Finance Ministers Prafulla Ghadei and Niranjan Pujari, ex-Finance Secretaries Ardhendu Sarangi, A.K. Tripathy, and R.N. Senapati, representatives from the Odisha Business Federation, Odisha Youth Entrepreneurs Association, NGOs, fintech CEOs, social workers, CREDAI Vice President, senior politician Sarada Satapathy, Sajjan Sharma, Manoj Mahapatra, and other eminent personalities from various sectors.
The meeting was attended by Deputy Chief Minister Pravati Parida, Chief Secretary Anu Garg, Development Commissioner Deoranjan Kumar Singh, Additional Chief Secretary to the Chief Minister Saswata Mishra, Finance Secretary Sanjeeb Kumar Mishra, and other senior officials from the Finance Department.
This consultative approach marks a significant step towards inclusive development, aligning state policies with the collective wisdom of experts and citizens alike.
