Bhubaneswar: Ahead of the State government’s ‘Make In Odisha Conclave’ beginning tomorrow here, Opposition today lambasted the government over poor execution of the agreements signed with different companies during the last edition of the event in 2016.
While the BJP stated that the State government is holding the ‘Make In Odisha Conclave’ as an ‘event management organsiation’, the Congress came down heavily on the Naveen Patnaik-led government for its propagandist approach towards industrial growth in the State.
Odisha BJP general secretary Bhrugu Baxipatra said that only 8% of the total MoUs signed during the Make In Odisha Conclave in 2016 have been converted into projects in the last two years. “While nine projects have been commissioned in the State, 22 projects either went back or were cancelled,” Baxipatra stated.
Besides, the saffron party leader alleged that the State government has turned a blind eye to the interests of Odia industrialists.
On the other hand, Odisha Congress chief Niranjan Patnaik said that with an eye on the upcoming general elections, the ruling-BJD is making all such announcements and is now active in propagandist activities.
“In last 18 years the State government signed many MoUs with companies, but a few have only set up industry here. Many including POSCO have returned from the State and those who stayed back are either in poor condition or planning to sell their units,” Patnaik added.
“It is laughable that the Make In Odisha Conclave will attract Rs 2 lakh crore investment into the State,” he quipped.
However, the ruling BJD refuted the comments of the Opposition. Minister of Industries Ananta Das said the Opposition political parties are unable to bear the development of the state done by the Naveen Patnaik-led government.
'The BJP itself was in charge of the industries department during the alliance period from 2000 to 2009 so they could have at least done so many things during that time. So without introspecting, they are criticising which is unwarranted," he said