Bhubaneswar: The state budget is expected to touch Rs 1.20 lakh crore as the state's revenue resources base has increased over the year. It would be a bigger budget this time compared to previous years.

This budget would be last budget ahead of the general election. Keeping it in mind, the state government is likely to accommodate a number of welfare schemes in its budget and earmark huge funds to continue with the state budget. The state government will put focus on agriculture, social security and infrastructure development. In another development, the state government has extended the deadlines to January 17 to solicit the public opinion on how to make the budget more people-oriented. On Wednesday, the state finance department held discussion with the various sections of people, including the former finance ministers on how to make the state budget for 2018-19. The state budget is likely to come in the third week of February. However, the state will announce its budget after the central government presented its budget. Finance minister Sashi Bhusan Behera said: "We are concerned about the people. We have been bringing pro-people budget every year. In all previous budgets, social sector, farmers and other welfare activities have been given a priority. The same stress will also be given this year. At the same time, we will stress on the economic development of the state."

Finance secretary Tuhin-kant Pandey said: "The economic condition of the state has improved. Everyone is appreciating our role on maintaining fiscal responsibility and budget management. During the discussion, a common view emerged that fiscal management of the state is overall good." Former finance minister Prafulla Ghadei said: "The state government will remain under stress as there would be a demand to accommodate demand from all sections. Every organisation will demand the enhancement of their salaries and other emoluments."

Ghadei is confident that the state government would be able to bring a good budget on focusing on eradication, heal-thcare, sanitation, agricultu-re, education and infrastructure development this year.

Former finance minister Panchanan Kanungo expected sops for farmers in the coming budget. "I think this year the size of the budget will cross Rs 1.20 lakh crore. The government may introduce pension for farmers or do something in procurement policy. But agriculture sector would be prioritised."