India News | Patnaik Ridicules Odisha Govt, Says 'double-engine' Going in Reverse Direction
Get latest articles and stories on India at LatestLY. Leader of Opposition in Odisha Assembly and BJD president Naveen Patnaik on Monday criticised the BJP government's first full-fledged Budget for 2025-26, claiming that the "double engine" administration is moving in reverse.
Bhubaneswar, Feb 17 (PTI) Leader of Opposition in Odisha Assembly and BJD president Naveen Patnaik on Monday criticised the BJP government's first full-fledged Budget for 2025-26, claiming that the "double engine" administration is moving in reverse.
Reacting to the state budget presented by Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, Patnaik said, "A very large sum of money from the last Budget hasn't been spent. Industrial growth is declining, and so are state finances. It seems the double-engine government is going in reverse gear."
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Patnaik further alleged that the economic growth of the state had decreased under the double-engine government (the BJP government in Odisha and the Centre).
He also pointed out the lack of development in the farms and fields since the BJP came to power, stating that farmers are suffering and dying by suicide while rising costs are hitting the general public.
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Patnaik noted the increasing unemployment rate and the distress among women members of Mission Shakti.
He questioned the purpose of the Budget if funds are not being utilised, saying, "Spending is very low. What is the meaning of the Budget if you are unable to spend money?"
Meanwhile, Congress Legislature Party leader Rama Chandra Kadam termed the Budget a "political document," asserting that it had little to do with economics.
He criticised the Budget for not addressing major issues such as unemployment, price rise, and farmers' problems.
(The above story is verified and authored by Press Trust of India (PTI) staff. PTI, India’s premier news agency, employs more than 400 journalists and 500 stringers to cover almost every district and small town in India.. The views appearing in the above post do not reflect the opinions of LatestLY)