The Biju Janata Dal (BJD) on Tuesday sharpened its attack on the ruling BJP government in Odisha, accusing it of practising double standards by actively facilitating the reappointment of retired officials after having opposed such moves earlier.
Addressing a press conference at Sankha Bhawan here, BJD Spokesperson Dr Lenin Mohanty alleged that the BJP, which had criticised contractual appointments of retired employees while in opposition, has now issued notifications to ease and encourage such re-engagements following its assumption of power.
Mohanty pointed to a notification issued by the General Administration and Public Grievance Department on September 12, 2024, which outlined guidelines for reappointing retired officials. This was followed by another notification on April 2, 2026, that further relaxed norms, including removing the earlier requirements of “outstanding” Confidential Character Roll (CCR) ratings for the last five years and the mandatory vacation of government quarters post-retirement.
“Earlier, the BJP opposed the reappointment of retired officials, but now it is welcoming and facilitating the same. This is a classic case of double standards — a double-engine government with double policies,” Mohanty remarked, adding that decisions are being made and altered repeatedly.
He highlighted specific appointments, including around 800 retired police personnel as Sub-Inspectors (SI) and Assistant Sub-Inspectors (ASI), and 186 civil engineers. Provisions have also been made for the reappointment of OAS (Odisha Administrative Service) officers.
The BJD leader criticised the BJP for failing to deliver on its election manifesto promise of generating around 3.5 lakh jobs for the youth within five years. “Instead of creating new opportunities for young people, the government is relying on retired officials, which mocks its commitment to employment generation,” he said.
Citing a recent written reply in the Odisha Assembly by BJD MLA Dr Arun Kumar Sahoo, Mohanty noted that the government claimed to have provided 39,505 jobs since coming to power. However, out of these, 33,867 recruitment processes were initiated during the previous BJD government’s tenure. This leaves only about 5,638 appointments made under the current BJP regime in the last two years.
“At this pace, it would take the government approximately 124 years to fulfil its promise of 3.5 lakh jobs,” Mohanty quipped, underscoring the alleged failure in employment generation.
The BJD also raised concerns over deteriorating law and order, increasing insecurity among women, rising state debt, and overall poor governance in the state.
The allegations come amid ongoing political tussles in Odisha, where the BJP assumed power after the 2024 assembly elections, ending the BJD’s long stint in government.
