By Bizodisha Bureau, Bhubaneswar, February 9, 2021: The Odisha council of ministers on Tuesday approved the annual State budget for 2021-22 financial year which will be tabled in the State Assembly on February 22.

The annual State budget having a total outlay of Rs 1.70 lakh crore has been approved by the cabinet. However, no official briefing was made on the budget outlay after the meeting.
According to sources, the government has sought to increase the size of the annual budget this year despite the challenges of Covid-19 pandemic.

Health, infrastructure, industry, MSME, rural economy, social sector, education, agriculture and women empowerment may be given top priorities in the budget.

As thousands of people lost their livelihood due to the pandemic, providing employments to people will be a top priority for the government.

There are possibilities of budgetary provision for Sri Jagannath temple heritage corridor, Lingaraj temple peripheral development and development of other shrines. Besides, the budgetary allocation may also be made for the expansion of SCB Medical College and Hospital in Cuttack.