Odisha Budget Like Big Schoolbag With Few Learning Materials: BJP

Bhubaneswar: Dubbing Odisha’s annual budget for 2023-24 as over dependent on Central funds, BJP on Saturday claimed that it has nothing to offer for the welfare of the people of the state.

Addressing a press meet in Bhubaneswar a day after the budget was presented in the Assembly, BJP’s state general secretary Golakh Mohaptra claimed that it is fully dependent on funds from the Central government.

Though the state government sought to show big dreams to the people through the budget, it is like a big school bag containing inadequate learning materials, claimed the BJP leader.

While the size of the budget touched Rs 2.30 lakh crore, the projected revenue of Rs 1,05,000 crore includes central tax of Rs 79,000, he said, adding that the Government will incur a further loan of Rs 45,500 crore.

All these show that the state’s budget is not possible without Centre’s support, Mohapatra said.

Accusing the state government of having failed to spend budget allocations in the last three years, the BJP leader said the size of the state budget is increasing only because of mining policy of the Union government.

Claiming that farmers are suffering as the state government is not spending the allocated funds, he said new projects brought by the state government will be managed by diverting Cental funds.

Hitting out at the state government, he said no provision of funds has been made for establishment of cold storage.

Accusing the state government of having failed to provide basic requirements to people despite being in power for 23 years, the BJP leader said the budget provides nothing for the welfare of the people.