Synopsis
On February 22, Leader of Opposition Naveen Patnaik criticized Odisha's 2025-26 budget, calling it anti-growth. He highlighted the decline in growth rates and the increasing loan burden, claiming the budget fails to address the real issues affecting the state's development.Key Takeaways
- Naveen Patnaik condemns the 2025-26 budget as anti-growth.
- Growth rate dropped from 10 percent to 8 percent.
- Allegations of name changes without real transformation.
- Budget increase inadequate when adjusted for inflation.
- Loan burden surpassing Rs 46,000 crore.
Bhubaneswar, Feb 22 (NationPress) The Leader of Opposition, Naveen Patnaik, sharply criticized the state government on Friday, branding the recently presented annual budget for the 2025-26 financial year by Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi as anti-growth.
While discussing the budget in the assembly, Patnaik asserted, “Under the Biju Janata Dal Government, Odisha consistently achieved high growth, aiding millions in overcoming poverty—a fact acknowledged by various central institutions. However, the Double Engine Government has seen the growth rate plummet from 10 percent to 8 percent this year.”
He further accused the BJP-led double-engine government of reversing the state’s progress.
Patnaik criticized the government for allegedly renaming numerous schemes from the previous BJD administration, stating that Odisha, once renowned for its transformation, is now only recognized for mere name changes.
He insisted that, in real terms, the budget has contracted compared to the prior year.
“When adjusting for inflation, the budget growth from 2.77 lakh crore to 2.90 lakh crore indicates a lesser real increase than last year. This suggests a lack of strategy to broaden the state's revenue base,” Patnaik asserted.
The BJD leader also claimed that under the double-engine government, Odisha's open market loan burden has surpassed Rs 46,000 crore, with the per capita loan burden escalating annually.
He noted that this situation could drain the state’s finances, leaving insufficient funds for development and welfare initiatives. Patnaik alleged that central government grants have not increased compared to previous years.
He emphasized that due to the strong fiscal health inherited from the previous BJD government, the current BJP administration can fund development projects independently of central government assistance, as evidenced by the fact that over half of the budget relies on Odisha’s own tax revenue, including State’s Own Tax, State’s Own Non-Tax, and Shared Tax.
Patnaik targeted the BJP government for reducing funding for the Bhubaneswar Metro Rail Project and Mission Shakti initiatives.
“How does renaming Skilled in Odisha to Skilled for the World benefit Odisha's youth? It rather indicates that the government lacks the capacity to generate sufficient jobs within Odisha,” Patnaik questioned.
He contended that the budget is filled with numerous slogans and catchphrases designed to distract the public from the real challenges faced by the people of Odisha.
