Bhubaneswar: The budget is like a full menu in an empty kitchen, said Biju Janata Dal President and Leader of Opposition Naveen Patnaik, launching a sharp attack on the BJP-led Odisha Government over its latest budget presentation.
While extending formal congratulations to the government, Naveen alleged that the financial roadmap lacks substance and threatens to push the state towards fiscal instability.
“It is quite disappointing that the Double Engine Government is taking Odisha in reverse direction after promising moon for the people of Odisha. Welcome to the new era where every newborn child in Odisha will be welcomed with a per-capita loan burden of nearly 30,000 rupees”, Naveen said.
LoP Naveen asserted that when the BJD assumed office years ago, Odisha’s revenues were largely consumed by loan repayments and debt servicing, leaving minimal funds for development and welfare. Through “meticulous planning and fiscal prudence,” he claimed, the BJD government significantly reduced the debt burden and positioned Odisha among the best-managed states financially. However, he warned that the state’s total debt is projected to approach ₹1,30,000 crore under the current dispensation.
“When BJD Govt assumed office, Odisha’s revenues were used to repay loans and service debts, leaving very little funds available for development projects or people’s welfare. With years of meticulous planning and fiscal prudence, we reduced the loan burden drastically. Financially we were the best managed state in country. But the BJP Govt is well on its course to make Odisha a bankrupt state soon. The total debt is soon going to touch 1,30,000 crore rupees. This will strain Odisha’s finances, derail state’s development momentum and welfare of the people”, Naveen noted.
He further said, “People of Odisha hoped that the Double Engine will bring double benefit-Grant-In-Aid from Centre will double. But unfortunately, Central remittances to Odisha are shrinking year after year-especially during last two years”.
While acknowledging that the Chief Minister paid tribute to farmers during the budget speech, Naveen argued that the allocations fall short of addressing their core concerns. All grand promises without any focus on the development of the state. In short: The budget is like a full menu in an empty kitchen, he added.