Bhubaneswar: In the 2024-25 financial year, most government departments have lagged in utilizing their allocated budget. Out of 44 departments, 17 have spent significantly less than their allocated funds.
For example, the Disaster Management Department was allocated Rs8,674.19 crore but had spent only Rs1,170.16 crore by the end of January, which is just 13.49% of its budget. Similarly, the Sports & Youth Services Department, which received Rs1,253.23 crore, has spent only Rs247.79 crore (19.77%). Other underperforming departments include the Steel & Mines Department (20.52%), Odia Language, Literature & Culture Department (27.10%), Mission Shakti (23.42%), Tourism Department (38.06%), Planning & Coordination Department (36.68%), Panchayati Raj & Drinking Water Department (38.05%), and General Administration & Grievance Redressal Department (38.74%).
Some of the worst-performing departments in terms of budget utilization include Law, SC-ST Development, Minority & Backward Classes Welfare, Housing & Urban Development, General Administration & Pension, Transport, Energy, and IT Departments, all of which have spent less than 20% of their allocated funds.
Additionally, two departments have spent less than 20%, while several others have failed to reach 50% expenditure. This means they have not even utilized half of their allotted funds.
On the other hand, General Industry, Agriculture, Science & Technology, Health, Revenue, and Food Supplies & Consumer Welfare Departments have performed well, utilizing more than 70% of their allocated budgets by the end of January.
This information was revealed by the government in response to questions raised in the Odisha Legislative Assembly.