Odisha finance minister Niranjan Pujari
BHUBANESWAR: Given the state’s immense tourism potential, this year’s budget could prove to be the game changer in the years to come. While talks have mostly centred around building temple infrastructure, the budget showed the developments could usher in greater footfall to the state and open up new revenue streams.
On Monday, finance minister Niranjan Pujari made a huge allocation of Rs 942 crore for three temple projects in Puri, Bhubaneswar and Sambalpur, a move that is likely to boost temple tourism in the state. Besides, the minister has also hiked allocation for the tourism sector by 25% in a bid to promote eco-tourism, which has generated plenty of buzz off late.
p An artist’s impression of the SCB Medical College and Hospital’s renovation plan br /p h6 div /div /h6 hr
BHUBANESWAR: The Odisha Economic Survey 2020-21 has underlined the government’s future development approach with focus on areas like healthcare, quality education and skill development, development of agriculture, clean water, employment, industrialization and infrastructure development.
The survey report advised the state government to improve primary, secondary and tertiary healthcare infrastructure with large investment, including that of private sector. Measures like creating a large pool of health professionals and paramedics, skill up-gradation of health professionals and delivery of health services at the grass-roots level have also been suggested.