In the ongoing budget discussions in the State Legislative Assembly, Leader of Opposition, Naveen Patnaik, delivered a scathing speech criticizing the BJP government’s new budget for Odisha.
The former Odisha CM congratulated the government for presenting the budget but highlighted several key issues that he believes are causing the state to move in the wrong direction.
Patnaik emphasized that Odisha, previously known for its high growth and transformation under the Biju Janata Dal government, is now experiencing a decline in growth rates and an increase in debt under the “Double Engine” BJP government. He pointed out that the growth rate has dropped from 10% to 8% this year, and the budget, when adjusted for inflation, shows a decrease in real terms.
The opposition leader accused the government of failing to expand the state’s revenue base and highlighted the rising open market loan burden, which has reached over ₹46,000 crores. He expressed concern over the growing per capita loan burden and its potential impact on the state’s finances and development projects.
Patnaik criticized the BJP government for not delivering on its promise of “double benefits” and accused it of creating “double misery” for the people of Odisha. He noted that the central government’s Grant in Aid has not increased, and the state’s robust fiscal health, inherited from the previous Biju Janata Dal government, is being eroded.
He also took issue with the reduced allocation for the Bhubaneswar Metro Rail Project and questioned the renaming of the “Skilled in Odisha” initiative to “Skilled for the World,” arguing that it does not address the lack of job creation within the state.
Furthermore, Patnaik highlighted the ongoing protests by Mission Shakti mothers and criticized the government for reducing the allocation for Mission Shakti despite promising substantial support for the program. He concluded his speech with a popular Odia saying, “ବସ୍ତାନି ଭାରି କିନ୍ତୁ ପାଠ ଘର ଶୂନ,” implying that the budget is heavy in slogans but lacks substance in addressing the real issues faced by the people of Odisha.
