New Delhi, Jan 28 (.) Ahead of the union Budget 2026, national non-governmental organisation PRAHAR (Public Response Against Helplessness and Action for Redressal) has called for a Rs 1,200 crore special allocation to address persistent employment distress in Odisha’s backward regions, particularly the south-western districts of Kalahandi and Rayagada.
While acknowledging the additional Rs 9,176 crore allocated to Odisha in the previous budget cycle, PRAHAR said the increased funding has not translated into equitable development across the state.

According to the organisation, eastern and coastal districts have seen relatively higher gains, while south-western Odisha continues to face a shortage of sustainable, formal-sector employment and high levels of distress migration.
PRAHAR urged the Centre to retain the enhanced level of funding for Odisha but redirect it strategically towards accelerating industrialisation and manufacturing in neglected regions.
The organisation warned that further delays in building sustainable job ecosystems would necessitate immediate fiscal intervention to prevent worsening livelihood insecurity.
Abhay Raj Mishra, president and National Convenor, PRAHAR, said, “We acknowledge the efforts of the Government of Odisha in making significant social investments for tribal welfare and inclusive development. However, widening disparities persist, particularly in the south and western regions, with districts like Kalahandi and Rayagada having faced decades of neglect that developmental funding alone cannot reverse.”
Mishra said while coastal and eastern districts have benefited from large industrial investments, downstream ecosystems and captive mining, similar opportunities have not materialised in the south-western belt despite abundant mineral reserves.
“Special industrial vehicles, responsible utilisation of mineral resources, and the development of feeder and downstream industries can correct these imbalances and enable even development across South and West Odisha, in line with the vision of a truly Viksit Odisha,” he added.
The organisation also underlined Odisha’s potential to benefit from rising global demand for aluminium driven by electric vehicles, renewable energy, defence, aerospace, and power infrastructure.
East Odisha offers growing manufacturing opportunities, with over 50,000 potential jobs from steel and allied projects, helping curb migration.
South-West Odisha continues to face high distress migration, heavy agrarian dependence of nearly 70 percent of the workforce, and very low formal employment, exemplified by Kalahandi’s per capita income of around Rs 32,000, compared to the state average of Rs 1.8 lakh.
As part of its submission, PRAHAR presented a six-point advisory to the union government, calling for job-linked welfare spending, mission-mode industrialisation of backward regions and greater investment in skill development aligned with local industrial needs.
. VK VAN PRS