Did BJP Respond Effectively to Naveen Patnaik's Critique of Odisha's Supplementary Budget?
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Synopsis
The BJP has strongly countered Naveen Patnaik's claims regarding Odisha's Supplementary Budget, urging him to provide concrete evidence in the Assembly. With significant allocations for key sectors, the BJP defends its budget as a commitment to transparency and development.
Key Takeaways
- BJP defends Supplementary Budget amid criticism.
- Key allocations focus on agriculture, health, and education.
- Naveen Patnaik challenges the budget's efficacy.
- Political tensions between BJP and BJD intensify.
- Transparency and development are central themes for BJP.
Bhubaneswar, Nov 29 (NationPress) The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) vehemently countered the criticisms of Naveen Patnaik, the Odisha Leader of Opposition and Chief of Biju Janata Dal (BJD), concerning the state's Supplementary Budget. BJP MLA Irasis Acharya urged the former Chief Minister to present concrete facts within the Assembly instead of resorting to unfounded remarks.
Acharya emphasized that the Supplementary Budget allocates sufficient resources for critical sectors such as agriculture, women and child development, education, and health.
Addressing Patnaik's allegations, the BJP representative stated that all claims should be articulated on the Assembly floor for proper examination during the ongoing session.
"The former Chief Minister is welcome to challenge us directly in the Assembly. We are fully equipped to address any baseless accusations. Social media remarks will not suffice; he needs to provide facts," Acharya asserted.
He further noted that when the primary budget was unveiled, projects worth nearly Rs 2 lakh crore were promised. The Supplementary Budget incorporates an additional allocation of Rs 17,400 crore. Our BJP government has consistently prioritized women, education, and health,
He highlighted that Odisha is currently witnessing robust growth, with the annual budget surpassing Rs 3 lakh crore.
"Increased expenditure reflects enhanced development. If funds are being utilized, it indicates that progress is underway," he stated, linking the budget increase to developmental initiatives.
Acharya reaffirmed that the BJP government is dedicated to transparency, development, and the prudent use of public finances.
Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, who oversees the Finance department, presented the Rs 17,440 crore Supplementary Budget in the Assembly on Friday.
In a social media post on Saturday, Patnaik criticized the BJP government's inaugural Supplementary Budget, claiming it lacks significant infrastructure initiatives and a long-term vision, leaving citizens disappointed in the first full year of governance.
The former Chief Minister accused the fiscal document of pushing Odisha closer to a "fiscal deficit trap", while administrative expenditure diminishes and the state's debt continues to rise.
"Apart from the allocations for the Works Department (Rs 900 crore) and a few urban infrastructure projects, this budget is lacking in substance," he expressed in his post.
Patnaik alleged that the government introduced the Supplementary Budget merely to disguise declining central assistance and its inefficiencies, stating, "This budget does not serve the interests of the people of Odisha, but rather aims to mislead them."
Point of View
The back-and-forth between the BJP and BJD highlights the ongoing political rivalry in Odisha. While the BJP emphasizes its commitment to transparency and development, the criticisms from Patnaik reflect deeper concerns about fiscal responsibility and infrastructure development. As the political landscape evolves, the implications for Odisha's governance will be significant.
NationPress
29/11/2025
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the BJP's response to Patnaik's criticism?
The BJP strongly defended the Supplementary Budget, with MLA Irasis Acharya urging Patnaik to present factual evidence in the Assembly instead of making unfounded claims.
What are the key allocations in the Supplementary Budget?
The Supplementary Budget includes significant allocations for agriculture, women and child development, education, and health.
How did Naveen Patnaik critique the Supplementary Budget?
Patnaik criticized the budget for lacking major infrastructure initiatives and claimed it would lead to a fiscal deficit trap.
What is the total outlay of the Supplementary Budget?
The total outlay of the Supplementary Budget is Rs 17,440 crore.
What is the significance of this political exchange?
This exchange highlights the ongoing political tensions in Odisha as both parties vie for public support and seek to establish their governance credibility.
