Bhubaneswar: Government of Odisha is scheduled to have meetings of state Cabinet and Council of Ministers February 13, a source in the government said Sunday.
The meeting of Council of Ministers will be presided over by Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik that will subsequently approve the draft budget.
The state government intends to present the highest-ever annual budget. The budget is estimated to reach Rs 2.5 lakh crore, as per the source.
It may be mentioned here that “Budget 2023-24” is the last full budget before the General and Assembly elections in the state in 2024.
Anticipations are high as announcements related to free rice and housing are on the cards.
In light of this, it is expected that the state government will also introduce its own public distribution scheme (PDS) to assist the poor and disadvantaged, including the excluded families throughout the state.
According to the source, the Cabinet may approve 10 proposals from the departments of health, rural development, energy, water resources, and works.
Notably, Odisha Assembly’s budget session will commence February 21.
PNN