Odisha’s rank in the national startup ecosystem slipped recently, and the development triggered a sharp political debate.
MSME Minister Gokulananda Mallik blamed the previous government for the decline, pointing to data from January 1, 2023, to November 30, 2024.
Mallik stressed that the BJP government assumed office only on June 12, 2024, and therefore had just six months in power during the period covered by the report. Consequently, he questioned how the current administration could be held responsible for the fall in rankings within such a short span.
Furthermore, the minister highlighted achievements since the BJP came to power. He said Odisha registered 2,550 new startups during this period. In addition, he explained that the government actively supports young entrepreneurs across villages by providing facilities and opportunities to boost innovation.
Moreover, Mallik emphasised that the BJP government remains committed to strengthening Odisha’s startup ecosystem. He underlined that youth in rural areas continue to benefit from entrepreneurship initiatives designed to encourage innovation and self‑reliance.
Thus, while the report reflected a decline in Odisha’s startup rank, the minister insisted that the responsibility lay with the previous administration. At the same time, he projected confidence that the BJP government’s initiatives would restore momentum and improve the state’s position in the national startup landscape.
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