Opposition slams Odisha government over change in school uniform colours

The political climate in Odisha is heating up after the State government’s decision to change the school uniform colours.

As per the changes announced, boys will wear trousers of bottle green colour and cream colour check shirts, while the girls will wear bottle green colour trousers and cream check kurtis with half-sleeve green jackets. A logo with ‘Ame gadhibu nua Odisha’ (We will build new Odisha) will be embossed on the uniform.

However, BJP MLA Suryabanshi Suraj slammed the Odisha government over the decision.

The saffron party leader questioned when there is no proper infrastructure for education in Odisha, what is the need to change the colours of the school uniform? He also questioned the basis on which the State government has announced ‘Mukhyamantri Paridhana Yojana’ with funds provided by the Union government.

“There will not be any change in the educational system by changing the colours of the buildings and uniforms and making bills. If it worked, then Odisha would not have slipped 14 places to 24th spot in the Performance Grading Index (PGI) report of schools recently published by the Ministry of Education for the 2020-21 academic year,” said Suryabanshi.

Opposition Congress also targeted the State government over the move.

“It’s not their father’s property that they will change whatever they wish. The fund is allocated from the common man’s money. Congress strongly condemns the move,” said senior Congress leader, Tara Prasad Bahinipati.

However, BJD brushed aside the allegations by terming them baseless.

“The allegations by the opposition parties are baseless. The changed uniform is the colour of health and prosperity. Children are very enthusiastic about the move,” said BJD MLA, Devi Ranjan Tripathy.