Bhubaneswar: The Biju Janatal Dal on Monday slammed Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, accusing him of misleading the people of Odisha over state’s share in the Union Budget 2025.
“Odisha did not find mention in the speech of Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman despite the massive mandate given by the people to BJP in last year’s general elections. 20 MPs, three Union Ministers and the double-engine government has given the state absolutely nothing,” former Rajya Sabha member Amar Patnaik told a presser.
The senior BJD leader further stated that the BJP had promised double allocation for Odisha in the Budget if it comes to power in the state. “Dharmendra babu also failed to mention anything specific for the state in his press briefing. He just acted like a translator and put forth the Budget speech in Odia,” he added.
Joining the chorus, BJD MP Sasmit Patra said that the double-engine government of BJP has only given double ‘dhoka’ to Odisha. “We have a question for Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, who claimed that Odisha has received a lot in his six-page press release. Our question is, what has Odisha received that other states haven’t? What Kerala has received, Odisha has received the same. What West Bengal has received, Odisha has received the same. This means that the states without BJP governments have received the same benefits,” he said.
Earlier in the day, Dharmendra said that Odisha will greatly benefit from the Union Budget and the double-engine government will double the state’s development. “The Budget is in tune with the trust reposed by business firms on the Prime Minister during the Utkarsh Odisha conclave and transform Odisha into a developed state by 2036,” he said.
He said cotton production will be taken up in a mission mode, which will benefit farmers of Kalahandi, Balangir, Kandhamal, Koraput, Boudh, Sonepur, Bargarh, Rayagada, Nuapada, Ganjam and Gajapati districts.
The Union Minister further stated that National Mission For Edible Oil Seeds will also help boost production in the state. It will also help the state to become self-reliant in pulses. “Merit and Development Fund of Rs 25,000 crore, providing an infrastructure status to shipbuilding for the first time, will provide a push to port-related development in the state,” he said.
He also mentioned about launch a modified version of its regional connectivity scheme, UDAN (Ude Desh Ka Aam Naagrik), which will set out to connect 120 new destinations over the next decade. “We had recently met the Civil Aviation Minister regarding Jamadarpali, Rasgovindpur and Rangeilunda and for expansion of Jharsuguda and Rourkela airports. The aviation sector will benefit in the state under scheme,” he said.
Dharmendra further stated that the Finance Minister announced the formulation of a national framework to guide states in promoting Global Capability Centres (GCCs) in emerging tier II cities and Bhubaneswar, Cuttack, Samablpur, Berhampur and Balasore are fit candidates for it. “Bhubaneswar will be developed into an IT hub. Other cities will see knowledge-centric development,” he said.
While there are 863 Atal Tinkering Labs in Odisha now, more such labs will be established in the coming days.
He said that the budget allocation has significantly risen from the revised FY 2024-25 figure of ₹3,342 crore to ₹5,252 crore for micro and small enterprises (MSEs) and start-ups, which will benefit Odisha as well.
Credit limit for Kisan Credit Card holders has been increased from Rs 3 lakh to Rs 5 lakh. This will benefit 40 lakh Kisan Credit Card holders in Odisha, he said
The special mission on critical minerals will also boost the state economy. “Odisha will be among five states to benefit from plans to develop 50 tourist destinations, which would include development of Buddhist circuits and medical tourism facilities,” he further stated.
He remarked that the tax rebate on income up to Rs 12 lakh is a big gift from the Narendra Modi government to the middle class. “States like Odisha will especially benefit from it,” he added.
