Odisha Industries Minister counters BJD leader’s statement on infrastructure 

Odisha Industries Minister Sampad Swain on Friday hit out at BJD MLA Pratap Deb for his statement that the big industrial houses that once signed MoUs with the then BJD government have started moving out of Odisha for poor infrastructure. 

While addressing a presser, the BJD leader had earlier found fault with the Chief Minister’s Singapore visit to bring investment to the state, saying that the Chief Minister should first make the environment conducive for industrialisation.  

“I would like to request the Chief Minister through you (journalists) that he should first set the environment for industrialisation right. Because of the unfavourable environment, big industrial houses that had signed MoUs with the BJD government have started moving back,” the BJD leader had said. 

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Industries Minister Sampad Swain responded to the statement of the BJD leader Pratap Deb. 

“They are putting forth such statements only to hurt and mislead the people of Odisha.  During their rule, they would visit different places to bring in investors. Without knowing what the infrastructure requirement was, they would sign MoUs.  This is the reason why they would go back after waiting for a long period,” said Minister Swain.

“After the formation of our government, investors are getting motivated by our principles and the success of the double-engine government and are interested in investing in projects in Odisha. You know very well that the companies that had turned their faces away from Odisha are now desirous to invest in Odisha. It has become possible because they have faith in our government and the double-engine government,” he added. 

Taking a swipe at Pratap Deb, Minister Swain said, “He should also clarify why they were not able to improve the infrastructure even though they ruled the state for such a long time.”