BJP leaders term Union Budget 2024 pro-people; BJD, Congress tag it disappointing

Politics is now active in Odisha over the Union Budget 2024 with the BJD and the Congress terming it disappointing. Leader of Opposition (LoP) Naveen Patnaik said that the BJP had put special category status in their manifesto as a promise to the people of Odisha. However, this promise has not been considered for Odisha while special packages and funds have been announced for Andhra Pradesh and Bihar.

On the Polavaram issue, Patnaik said allocating more funds for Polavaram without sorting out the genuine grievances of Odisha shows impartiality against Odisha.

Congress MP Saptagiri Ulaka said, “The budget is very disappointing as we had hoped that it would focus on unemployment, inflation control and fiscal deficit. Odisha has been neglected in the budget as Andhra Pradesh and Bihar got special projects. Centre only announced to assist Odisha in tourism sector. In the Purvadoya scheme, there is Bihar, West Bengal and other states as well. It is unfortunate that Odisha has been taken for granted in the budget.”

Responding to the Opposition, Union Minister Jual Oram said, “It is pro-people budget and it is also for women, youths and farmers. Special provisions have been made for tribals. For improving the socio-economic conditions of tribal communities, the Pradhan Mantri Janjatiya Unnat Gram Abhiyan will be launched.”

According to Oram, the Pradhan Mantri Janjatiya Unnat Gram Abhiyan will cover 63,000 villages benefiting around 5 crore tribal people. The socio-economic conditions of tribal communities will be developed by adopting saturation coverage for tribal families in tribal majority villages and aspirational districts.

When asked, Andhra Pradesh and Bihar got special packages and no such announcement was made for Odisha, the Union Minister said, “There were specific issues for Bihar and Andhra which were to be addressed. Odisha will get the required grants as per proportion.”

On Polavaram project, Oram said, “It was a national project and previous state governments had neglected it. Centre wants to complete it. I hope that adequate compensation will be provided for the areas to be submerged in Odisha.”