Bhubaneswar, Jan, 20: At the pre-budget meeting held today in New Delhi under the chairmanship of Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, Deputy Chief Minister Pravati Parida participated and placed various demands and proposals.
A written memorandum containing important issues related to Odisha was submitted to the Union Finance Minister. Deputy Chief Minister Ms. Parida mainly put forward nine key demands and proposals.
These include providing higher grants in 2026–27 under the Special Assistance to States for Capital Investment (SASCI) scheme, and seeking the Union Government’s support to achieve the goal of “Developed India” through the “Developed Odisha” initiative under the Purvodaya vision.
She also demanded revision of ration cost norms under the Supplementary Nutrition Programme (SNP) and the Scheme for Adolescent Girls (SAG), enhancement of the central share under the National Social Assistance Programme (NSAP), and inclusion of more beneficiaries under social pension schemes.
Similarly, she sought continued support for the paddy procurement programme, adequate funding to complete ongoing projects under the Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM), and central assistance for the development of road and national highway projects in Odisha worth ₹41,580 crore.
She further requested central support for the capital investment required for urbanisation in Odisha and for the development of tourism sectors in the state.
The Union Finance Minister assured that all the proposals and demands would be considered seriously.
Principal Secretary of the Finance Department, Sanjeev Kumar Mishra, was also present at the meeting.