THEBUSINESSBYTES BUREAU
BHUBANESWAR, FEBRUARY 14, 2026
In a move that underscores a strong public
investment push, the Odisha Council of Ministers on Saturday approved a draft
budget of ₹3.10 lakh crore for the 2026–27 financial year,
marking a 6.9 per cent increase over the previous fiscal’s outlay of ₹2.90 lakh crore.
The budget, cleared at a cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Mohan
Charan Majhi, will be presented by the Chief Minister himself in the Odisha
Legislative Assembly on February 20, with the sixth Budget session of the 17th
Assembly scheduled to commence on February 17.
A key highlight of the proposed financial plan is a sharp emphasis on
capital expenditure, which is projected to rise by 11.5 per cent to ₹72,500
crore. The higher capex allocation is expected to boost infrastructure creation, crowd in private investment, and sustain Odisha’s
industrial growth momentum, particularly in sectors such as manufacturing,
mining, logistics, and urban development.
Finance and policy observers view the increased capital spending as a
signal of the state’s strategy to strengthen long-term productive assets while
supporting employment and regional development. The move also aligns with
broader efforts to improve connectivity, expand urban infrastructure, and
enhance social sector delivery.
The cabinet meeting was attended in person by Deputy Chief Minister
Pravati Parida and several senior ministers, while others joined via video
conferencing from their respective districts.
Following the budget presentation, the Assembly will hold a two-day
general discussion on February 23 and 24. Detailed deliberations on
departmental demands for grants are slated between March 10 and March 30, with
the Appropriation Bill scheduled for introduction on March 31 for final
legislative approval.
Last year, the state had supplemented its budget with an additional outlay of ₹17,740 crore, reflecting a trend of mid-year fiscal expansion to meet development priorities.
With a larger base and a higher capital focus this year, the upcoming budget is expected to play a pivotal role in shaping Odisha’s investment climate and growth trajectory in 2026–27.
