Odisha Minister Reacts As BJD Criticises New Colour For Govt Buildings

Bhubaneswar: Odisha Works Minister Prithviraj Harichandan on Tuesday reacted after opposition BJD criticised state government’s decision to paint government buildings in orange and red.

Harichandan said, “One should look at own works before questioning others. Leader of Opposition Naveen Patnaik and his team should answer why they had changed colour of Government buildings (to green).”

The minister further explained that every year after monsoon government buildings require repair and maintenance. “Repainting is a part of the maintenance,” he said.

In a notification issued on Monday, the Works department informed that the state government has approved adoption of a uniform colour code henceforth for all new government buildings as well as the existing ones at the time of periodical repair or renovation.

The colour codes will be orange (read saffron) for exterior walls and red for the borders. The announcement to change colours of government buildings received strong criticism from the opposition.

BJD spokesperson Lenin Mohanty said it is a BJP tactic to divert people’s focus away from pressing issues in the state including law and order and its failure in fulfilling election promises.

It may be noted that last week the state government changed the colour and design of uniforms for secondary school students from white and green to light brown and maroon under the Mukhyamantri Chhatra Chhatri Paridhan Yojana.