Bhubaneswar, November 11: Odisha Chief Secretary Anu Garg on Thursday reviewed the state’s financial performance, budgetary expenditure and preparations for the 2027-28 Annual Budget at a high-level meeting of departmental secretaries at Kharavel Bhawan here. She also directed officials to expedite relief and rehabilitation measures for people affected by Cyclone Arnab and subsequent floods in Ganjam district.

The meeting was attended by Development Commissioner and Additional Chief Secretary Deoranjan Kumar Singh, Additional Chief Secretaries, Principal Secretaries, Commissioners and Secretaries of various departments. Discussions focused on the forthcoming supplementary Budget for 2026-27, financial performance and reforms in public service delivery.

During the review of expenditure up to October 31, officials informed that overall spending against the approved Budget had increased by 9.9 per cent compared to the corresponding period last year. Programme expenditure registered an 11 per cent rise, while capital expenditure and spending in the infrastructure sector increased by 27.2 per cent and 13.5 per cent, respectively.

Garg asked all departments to accelerate the implementation of budgetary programmes and ensure timely utilisation of allocated funds. She stressed that the 2027-28 Annual Budget should focus on priority sectors and remain aligned with the long-term goals of Developed Odisha 2036 and Developed India 2047.

Highlighting the importance of greater investment in the social sector, she directed departments to expedite expenditure in areas including social security, education, healthcare, labour welfare, Panchayati Raj, drinking water, women and child development, Mission Shakti, tribal development and skill development.

At the outset, the Chief Secretary reviewed major achievements and development initiatives undertaken between early October and November 12. These included the inauguration of the RBI Data Centre by the Prime Minister, groundbreaking ceremonies for industrial projects at Kalinganagar, renewable energy investment proposals worth Rs 1.17 lakh crore and the signing of 18 memoranda of understanding (MoUs).

The review also highlighted major Cabinet decisions, the distribution of appointment letters to 2,067 candidates, an improvement in the conviction rate in anti-corruption cases to 65 per cent and the launch of the Pension Management Portal.

Other initiatives discussed included the expansion of the third phase of the Adarsh Primary School scheme covering 630 schools and the performance of Puri, Bhubaneswar and Asika in the Swachh Survey. The gold medal-winning performances of the Indian men's and women's hockey teams at the Asian Games were also highlighted.

Garg separately reviewed the ongoing relief and rehabilitation operations for people affected by Cyclone Arnab and the subsequent floods in Ganjam district. She instructed the concerned departments to expedite the process and ensure timely assistance to affected people.

The meeting also examined the implementation of the Business Reforms Action Plan under the Ease of Doing Business initiative and the progress of online public service delivery under the Odisha Right to Public Services Act, 2012.

Officials informed that 371 of the 451 notified public services across 32 departments are currently available online, while the remaining 80 services continue to be delivered offline. The auto-appeal mechanism has been made operational for 241 services, while 265 services are covered under the Central Monitoring System (CMS). Besides, 208 services have been integrated with the Ama Sathi WhatsApp chatbot.

The Chief Secretary asked departments to take necessary steps to bring all remaining offline services onto digital platforms. She also stressed stronger inter-departmental coordination, effective implementation of the auto-appeal mechanism and timely delivery of services to citizens.

The meeting further emphasised coordinated administration, cleanliness and strengthening of public service delivery mechanisms. Secretaries of various departments shared their views and suggestions on the issues discussed.