Bhubaneswar: The size of the Odisha government’s Budget 2019-20 may have significantly increased by 15.7 per cent than the previous year. However, the pre-declared schemes such as Kalia (Krushak Assistance for Livelihood and Income Augmentation), Parbati Giri Mega Lift Irrigation, state’s own food security scheme, Biju Swasthya Kalyan Yojana, are some of the major drivers of the Budget this year.
The other social welfare and development programs compromised at the cost of these driving schemes, says an analysis of state Budget 2019-20 by Odisha Budget and Accountability Centre (OBAC) of Centre for Youth and Social Development (CYSD).
Quantum of funds from the government of India to Odisha (i.e. state’s share in Central taxes and grant in aid) will increase from Rs 61382.8 crore in FY 2018-19 (revised estimate) to Rs 69766 crore in FY 2019-20. Yet, the share of Odisha’s own revenue in total revenue receipts shows a decline between FY 2015-16 and FY 2019-20, from 45 per cent to around 39 per cent.
“In this context, the state may focus on increasing the state’s own revenue as per the target of this year,” the experts maintained.
The analysis also revealed that the gap between budget allocation and actual expenditure across departments is a serious issue in a state like Odisha.
Analysis of the budget for rural health services revealed that Odisha had budgeted Rs 1,875 crore, Rs 2,003 crore and Rs 2, 298 crore in 2015-16, 2016-17 and 2017-18 respectively of which actual spending stood at Rs 1,639 crore, Rs 1927crore, and Rs 1,980 crore respectively, showing a gap of 12 to 13 per cent. In 2019-20 budget estimate, the allocation for Biju Swasthya Kalyan Yojana (BSKY) is Rs 1232.94 crore which is 18 per cent of the health and family welfare budget.
The state is focusing more on the health insurance scheme. It seems that primary health care needs are likely to be compromised at the cost of BSKY.
