OTV Impact: No space for Odia entrepreneurs at O-Hub? MSME Minister visits spot

MSME Minister Gokulananda Mallik on Tuesday visited the O-Hub building in Bhubaneswar following allegations that Odia entrepreneurs, mostly start-ups were neglected and denied space inside the building constructed to support the start-up ecosystem.

Earlier, OTV had telecast a report on how young Odia entrepreneurs were allegedly treated indifferently during the previous BJD government in the state.

Also Read: O-Hub emblematic of previous BJD govt's apathy towards Odisha start-ups? 

The multi-storey O-Hub building was inaugurated in Infocity-II, Bhubaneswar in 2021. The building has come up on 4 lakh square feet of land at a cost of Rs 350 crore. Sources said that the main objective was to provide space to Odia entrepreneurs and their start-ups at a subsidized price. However, contrary to the objective, Odia entrepreneurs were denied and MNCs have been provided space in the building.

After visiting the building, the MSME Minister said, “We are examining how many from Odisha and how many others have got space here in the building. Definitely, Odia entrepreneurs and start-ups will get space."

On allegations that the BJD IT cell was functioning from the building during the election, the Minister said that action would be taken if there were any irregularities.

No reaction was received from the BJD.