Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan on Saturday stated that the Union Budget 2026-27 serves as a robust foundation for a ‘Viksit Bharat’ while simultaneously unlocking new doors for developmental opportunities in Odisha.
Speaking at a press conference in Bhubaneswar, the Union Education Minister emphasised that the ‘Purvodaya’ schemes are designed to position Odisha as a major focal point of India’s development with special emphasis on the economy of the new era.
“Odisha will extensively benefit through numerous initiatives such as bio-pharma, power, India Semiconductor 2.0, education to employment, development of the 5th national waterway, new rare earth corridor, east coast development corridor and many others,” Pradhan said.
Pradhan noted that a record-breaking Rs 10,928 crore was allocated to Odisha in the Railway Budget. He further noted that this is approximately 13 times the average annual grant provided between 2009 and 2014.
He explained that the operationalisation of National Waterway No. 5—linking Talcher-Angul to Paradip-Dhamra—and the ‘Rare Earth Corridor’ would elevate Odisha’s industrial and mineral infrastructure to global standards.
He said special emphasis has been given in this budget on the ‘New Age Economy’. The Union Minister underscored the budget’s focus on new technology and mineral resource optimisation, which he believes will generate significant employment for the state’s youth.
He mentioned that new irrigation proposals would act as a “boon” for the KBK (undivided Kalahandi-Bolangir-Koraput) districts, addressing long-standing agricultural needs in those regions.
“This budget will bring a big change in the lives of about 1.5 million fishermen and tribal brothers and sisters of Odisha,” he said.
ଭୁବନେଶ୍ୱର ଠାରେ ଆମ ଦଳ ତରଫରୁ ଆୟୋଜିତ 'କେନ୍ଦ୍ରୀୟ ବଜେଟ୍ ୨୦୨୬-୨୭' ଉପରେ ସାମ୍ବାଦିକ ସମ୍ମିଳନୀରେ ଯୋଗଦେଲି । ମାନ୍ୟବର ପ୍ରଧାନମନ୍ତ୍ରୀ @narendramodi ଙ୍କ 'ସବକା ସାଥ୍, ସବକା ବିକାଶ, ସବକା ବିଶ୍ୱାସ ଏବଂ ସବକା ପ୍ରୟାସ'ର ମନ୍ତ୍ରକୁ ଏହି ବଜେଟରେ ପ୍ରତିଫଳିତ କରାଯାଇଛି । ଏହି ବଜେଟ୍ ସମାଜର ସବୁ ବର୍ଗର ଲୋକଙ୍କ ଆକାଂକ୍ଷା ପୂରଣ… pic.twitter.com/3SA9F9dAoo
— Dharmendra Pradhan (@dpradhanbjp) February 7, 2026
Pradhan pointed to the reduction of tax on kendu leaves—dropping from 5 per cent to 2 per cent—as a direct benefit for workers spanning from Sambalpur to Mayurbhanj. Additionally, special assistance for cashew, coconut, and cocoa cultivation in coastal areas underscores a commitment to the welfare of the poor and farmers, he claimed.
To bolster the “blue economy,” the fisheries sector will see growth by connecting women self-help groups and fishermen organisations with market-linked startups. Pradhan noted that these steps will help increase the local incomes of fishermen and create fresh job opportunities along Odisha’s extensive coastline.
Apart from this, he said tourism is also slated for a makeover with projects like ‘Turtle Trails’ at Gahirmatha on the coast of Odisha. “The Narendra Modi government has expressed its commitment in this budget to bring the benefits of development to the people at the bottom of society,” he said.
Pradhan touched upon India’s standing as the world’s fourth-largest economy, aiming for a growth rate of 6.8 per cent to 7.2 per cent for the fiscal year 2026-27. It will fulfil the aspirations of all sections of society and ensure inclusive growth, he said.
Comparing current economic markers to 2013-14, he noted that India’s exports have surged by 77 per cent to $824.9 billion, while Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) has more than doubled to $81.04 billion, reflecting an era of sustained national prosperity.
