The Mohan Charan Majhi government will present its first budget-2024-25 in the state Assembly on July 25.

To prepare the budget, the Odisha government has sought proposals from the people. The government has received nearly 12,000 proposals online so far.

Chief minister Majhi said: “We have sought people’s opinions to prepare a people-oriented budget. We have received more than 12,000 proposals, which is six times more compared to the previous year. We will present a people-oriented budget. Our department is working on this line.”

A pre-budget meeting was held on Friday at the state secretariat (Lok Seva Bhavan). People from different sections of society, including representatives of civil societies, RBI, NABARD, former finance ministers and financial experts attended the meeting and deliberated about the proposals given by people online.

Majhi said: “We have received 26 valuable suggestions in writing from them and will try to incorporate them into the budget. As it’s a people government we will try to help reflect the aspirations of people and help build new Odisha.”

The major challenge for the Mohan Majhi government would be how to arrange funds for the different projects that are lying idle at different stages, and arranging funds to continue with several welfare schemes initiated by the then BJD government.

“Several schemes were launched by the previous BJD government ahead of the election without proper budgetary support. Now, providing budgetary support to these schemes would be too tough. We are examining each scheme and the linking fund provision to continue with these schemes. Besides, fulfilling the promises given in the manifesto, including giving ₹50,000 vouchers to women, would also require huge finances,” said a source.

He further said: “Closure of schemes would put the Mohan government on the back foot. All are aware of this. Besides, we are making efforts to generate more revenue for the state.

“Besides our own revenue, we are expecting a good amount of financial backup from the Centre. The Centre’s backing at this point is crucial. The Centre is also aware of it.”