10 depts for social security get lion’s share of Budget

Bhubaneswar: The department-wise allocation of funds in the annual budget of the 2022-23 financial year indicates that the top 10 ones account for 55.8% of the total budgeted expenditure.
“The move aims to ensure social security for the poor and vulnerable sections of society and to expedite the growth of the state by facilitating investments in infrastructure projects,” a senior government official said.
The panchayati raj and drinking water department received 10.87% of the total budget allocation, school and mass education department’s share was 10.32% followed by the agriculture and allied sectors’ 9.99% and the health and family welfare department’s 6.17%.
The other four departments, which received bulk of the total allocation, include works (4.19%), housing and urban development (3.63%), rural development (3.48%), home (3.20%), SC/ST development (2.05%) and social security and persons with disabilities (1.85%).
The panchayati raj and drinking water department got the highest allocation with the state government earmarking Rs 8,255 crore to provide piped water supply under the Buxi Jagabandhu assured drinking water to all habitation (BASUDHA) and Jal Jeevan Mission. This is part of the government’s plan to provide tapped water to all household by March 2024.
Similarly, a provision of Rs 5,906 crore for the construction of pucca houses through the convergence of the Pradhan Mantri Awaas Yojana-Gramin and Biju Pucca Ghar Schemes was made in the Budget.
Under the agriculture and allied sector that also covers irrigation, cooperation and food supplies and consumer welfare, the state government has allocated Rs 1,874 crore under the Krushak Assistance for Livelihood and Income Augmentation (KALIA), Rs 300 crore of interest-free loan for fertilisers and seeds and Rs 8,523 crore of total outlays for different schemes under the irrigation sector.
The state government has allocated Rs 26,492 crore for the education and skill development sector under various schemes like Mo School Abhiyan, Smart Classroom, etc.
Similarly, a total sum of Rs 12,241 crore has been allocated for public health care, which includes Rs 1,864 crore under the Biju Swasthya Kalyan Yojana and Rs 2,335 crore under the Mukhyamantri Swasthya Seva Mission for building health infrastructure and services.