Bhubaneswar, Jul 25 (Reporter) Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan has thanked Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi for presenting the first full budget of the BJP government in Odisha. In a statement, Pradhan described the budget of Rs 2.65 lakh crore as a welfare budget to build a developed and progressive Odisha. The Union Minister said that compared to the previous financial year, about 15 per cent more budget has been introduced for Odisha, this money will fulfil the interests, hopes and aspirations of the people of Odisha. He said under the guidance of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, under the mantra of 'Sabka Sath - Sabka Vikas', the budget has been presented keeping in mind the development of all sections, especially the poor, farmers, youth, women, backward classes and tribals, and given priority to orthodox Asmita. The Union Minister said Rs 33,919 crore for the development of agriculture sector in the state, increasing the MSP of paddy to Rs 3,100 crore and 'Samriddha Farmer Yojana' will strengthen the backbone of agriculture and farmers in the state. The budgetary provision of Rs 8,000 crore for drinking water supply will also solve the water problem in the state, he said. Pradhan said the implementation of 'Madho Singh Haat Kharch' scheme to prevent school dropout rate is commendable. Similarly, for women empowerment, Subhadra Yojana will create 25 lakh`Lakshapati Didi' in the state with an expenditure budget of Rs 10,000 crore. Pradhan further said the proposal of increasing social security allowance by Rs 3,500 crore, Rs 63,457 crore for tribal development, Rs 1,315 crore for sports and youth services and Rs 58,195 crore for infrastructure development is welcome. He said while the Modi government is emphasising on making Odisha a tourist destination, the 'Riverfront Development Project' scheme, announced in the budget, will make Sambalpur a centre of cultural and economic activity. In the current fiscal year 2024-25 Odisha budget, Rs 200 crore of corpus fund has been allocated for the propagation of Odia Asmita. Pradhan said it is commendable that this money will be utilised for the construction of Odia Asmita Bhawan, construction of Paika Rebellion Memorial, establishment of Odia Translation Academy, district level e-library institute. The Union Minister also thanked Mohan Majhi's government for proposing a corpus fund of Rs 500 crore for the propagation of Sri Jagannath culture...////...