Odisha Chief Minister, Naveen Patnaik, expressed his government’s dedication to implementing “transformational changes” in the state. However, he voiced his concerns about the lack of adequate support from the central government under the principle of cooperative federalism. Patnaik, who is also the president of the Biju Janata Dal (BJD), accused the BJP-led Union government of consistently neglecting Odisha when it comes to the allocation of central funds.
Despite Odisha’s significant progress in reducing multidimensional poverty, as highlighted in the NITI Aayog report, Patnaik pointed out that the Modi government has not provided the necessary support. He cited examples such as delays in approving the PM Awas Yojana, which resulted in insufficient sanctions for housing projects. Moreover, the discontinuation of certain welfare schemes and the neglect of crucial infrastructure projects, such as national highways and railway networks, have added to the state’s woes.
The Chief Minister also highlighted issues concerning GST on Kendu leaves, farmer benefits under the Fasal Bima scheme, and irregularities in the supply of fertilizers. Additionally, he brought attention to the overlooked concerns of women’s reservation in the legislative setup and the inclusion of tribal languages in the Constitution’s 8th schedule.
Despite these challenges, Patnaik reaffirmed his government’s commitment to driving visible changes across various sectors in Odisha through initiatives like the 5T Initiative, Biju Swasthya Kalyan Yojana, and 5T School Transformation. He remains determined to achieve the state’s development goals and uplift the lives of its people.
Prasanta Patnaik 
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