Leader of Opposition Naveen Patnaik on Friday described the Odisha budget as “a full menu in an empty kitchen.” His remarks came after Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi presented the state’s annual budget in the assembly, featuring a total outlay of Rs 3.10 lakh crore.
When asked by journalists for his reaction to the annual budget, Patnaik remarked, “What can I say about this budget? It sounds to me like a full menu in an empty kitchen. That’s what I feel about this budget.”
BJD MLA Arun Sahoo criticised the state administration, suggesting that the government has artificially inflated the budget’s size by increasing public debt. “The BJP government prepared an elephant-like budget, but when it comes to expenditure, it will turn into an ant,” he claimed.
“The LoP might be hinting at a lack of enough funds to meet the size of the budget. The state has estimated that the total debt would reach Rs 1,55,710 crore by the end of March 2027, which is 14.1 per cent of the GSDP,” he added.
The Congress party, which staged a walkout during the Chief Minister’s speech, alleged that the announcements contained nothing original. Congress legislature party leader Rama Chandra Kadam expressed disappointment, arguing that while the outlay has been enhanced, the government consistently fails to spend allocated funds.
“During the current financial year, the government has not yet been able to spend 43 per cent of the allocated funds. About 22 departments have even failed to utilise half of the budgetary allocation,” he alleged.
Dismissing these criticisms, state BJP president Manmohan Samal stated that the budget reflects the party’s commitment to building a prosperous Odisha. He highlighted that priority has been given to sectors such as agriculture, tourism, irrigation, health, education, and food security.
“In addition, financial provisions have been made in the budget to fulfil the hopes and aspirations of people from all sections and regions, along with the promotion of Odia culture,” he said, congratulating the CM.
Union minister Dharmendra Pradhan said the budget will fulfil the hopes and aspirations of all sections of people.
