Odisha Chief Secretary Anu Garg directs departments to expedite budget expenditure for FY 2025–26 and ensure timely implementation of new projects, while highlighting AI collaboration with Sarvam AI to improve governance efficiency
OdishaPlus Bureau
On Thursday, Chief Secretary Anu Garg urged the secretaries of various departments to expedite budget expenditures for the fiscal year 2025-26 before its conclusion.
During the meeting with all secretaries, the Chief Secretary also addressed the execution of new projects that were announced in the 2026-27 annual budget, instructing them to adhere to the established timelines.
The Chief Secretary assessed the fund expenditures across different departments. According to official sources, expenditures have risen by 9.3 percent by the end of February compared to the same timeframe in the 2024-25 financial year.
Capital expenditures have seen a 14 percent increase, while the Agriculture Department has experienced a 13 percent rise in fund utilization. The Fisheries and Animal Resources Development Department and the Cooperation Department reported increases in fund utilization of 39 percent and 56 percent, respectively.
Additionally, the Chief Secretary instructed officials to ensure that the state’s revenue collection aligns with the budgeted targets. A presentation was delivered during the meeting regarding the collaboration between Sarvam AI and the state government. In this presentation, Sarvam AI highlighted its partnership with the state government, demonstrating methods to streamline and expedite departmental operations through the use of AI.
Sarvam AI has collaborated with the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology and is a member of the India AI Council. The platform will provide multilingual voice-based assistance, real-time data analytics, and automated graphics for government departments.
Furthermore, it will offer advisory services to farmers, raise awareness about subsidies, and address public grievances, thereby enhancing governance efficiency and making it more people-centric.
