The Mohan Charan Majhi government in Odisha has sought financial help from the Centre to implement its several poll promises.

It has also demanded the establishment of a second AIIMS at Sambalpur in western Odisha, which is considered a BJP bastion.

It has given a long list of demands to the Centre and urged it to provide financial support for implementing the Subhadra scheme to promote women's welfare through entrepreneurship, ease of living and dignity. Under the Subhadra scheme, every woman will receive a voucher of ₹50,000 to be encashed over two years. “We will implement it and the chief minister has already made it clear. Modalities are being prepared to see the financial implications,” said a source.

While attending the pre-budget consultation meeting chaired by Union finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman, Odisha deputy chief minister K.V. Singh Deo raised the issue of the Subhadra scheme and its financial implications for the state.

The other deputy chief minister, Pravati Parida, said: “The scheme is in the drafting state and it will soon get the state cabinet’s nod. It will be rolled out within 100 days.”

The state has also demanded sanction of funds for the construction of at least five lakh houses for rural and urban areas under the PMAY (Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana). During the campaign, the BJP leaders including Prime Minister Narendra Modi had announced that houses would be provided to every poor family.

“We have also sought advanced indication of the state-wise annual allocation under Centrally sponsored schemes (CSS) at the time of budget formulation which would enable the states to prepare their budgets on a realistic basis and ensure timely and effective utilisation of funds,” said officials.

The state has sought higher allocation under Schemes for Special Assistance to States for Capital Investment (SACI), 2024-25, to further accelerate the development of infrastructure. “We have sought the Centre’s help for expeditious completion of national highways, specifically the coastal highway and capital region ring road (CRRR) projects in Odisha. These are crucial for the development of the state,” officials said.

The state has also sought financial support for the Revamped Distribution Sector Scheme (RDSS). “Financial support is required for the adoption of new technologies such as green hydrogen and central funding for green energy corridor projects in Odisha,” said officials.