Naveen Warns of ‘Financial Mismanagement’, Says Odisha Heading towards Bankruptcy

Bhubaneswar: BJD president and Leader of Opposition Naveen Patnaik has expressed his serious concerns over the financial management of the state under the BJP-led “double engine government”, warning that Odisha could be pushed towards a path of bankruptcy if corrective steps are not taken.

LoP Naveen said that during the BJD government’s tenure, Odisha had achieved the top rank in the NITI Aayog Fiscal Health Index for 2023–24, which he described as a matter of pride for the state.

“With prudent fiscal management, Odisha was No-1 in the country in NITI Aayog’s Fiscal Health Index for the year 2023-24. It’s a pride for all of us that Odisha not only led the nation but also was comprehensively ahead with a score of 73.1 over even the 2nd rank State that could achieve a score of only 54”, he said.

Naveen stated that Odisha’s journey from a near-bankrupt state in 2000 to the top performer in fiscal health reflected strong vision and transformative governance.

“It is matter of great satisfaction for me that Odisha had charted this journey from near bankruptcy in 2000 to lead the chart in every parameter which no Double Engine govt could achieve in the country. From a precarious fiscal situation to becoming the top performer in fiscal health, Odisha’s journey reflected vision, and transformative governance under the principles of 5T”, he said.

“Highlight of our governance can be seen in every parameter of fiscal health-whether it is quality of expenditure, revenue mobilisation, fiscal prudence and reducing loan burden-emerging as exemplar state .

This sustained fiscal stability empowered the state to invest in many people-centric initiatives like BSKY, KALIA, Mission Shakti, Skill Development, Odisha School Transformation, tribal development, Disaster Management, infrastructure development, irrigation projects, poverty alleviation initiatives and funding of our own food security scheme-without waiting for handouts from Centre. I thank the people of Odisha for being partners in this transformative journey”, he added.

However, he expressed concern about the current financial trajectory of the state under the BJP government led by Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi.

“But now I am worried with the way the Odisha double engine govt is mis-managing finances, pushing the State in the path of bankruptcy and push back the development momentum to 25 years back. May good sense prevail”, Naveen further stated.