Govt. in Poll Mode, Sops for Employees, Farmers and Freedom Fighters

Keeping the assembly elections in mind, the Orissa government has introduced a supplementary budget of Rs. 7,587.69 crore in the state assembly yesterday. This is the largest-ever supplementary budget moved by any government in the history of the state. To woo the government employees, the government has provisioned Rs. 2255.36 crore to implement the sixth pay commission recommendations. At least five lakh government employees will be benefited by this decision.

Interest rate on the Agriculture loans has been reduced to 5% from existing 7%. At least one High School in each Panchayat will get government grant. The government has also provisioned Rs. 499 crore to implement the Rs.2 per kg Rice scheme. In addition, the government has enhanced the pension for freedom fighters to Rs. 1000 per month.