By Sunil Jena, Editor-in-Chief
Bhubaneswar: Naveen Pattnaik today made a series of sharp observations against the Mohan Majhi government during the discussion on the Second Supplementary Budget for the financial year 2025-26 in the Odisha Assembly. Speaking as Leader of the Opposition, he said that people across the state are unhappy because the government has not prioritised real development in the budget.
During his address, Naveen said that the state budget appears to focus more on noise than delivery. He noted that the people of Odisha expected the government to allocate adequate funds for core developmental work, but according to him, those expectations have not been met. He added that this disappointment is not limited to the opposition alone, but is shared by the common citizens across the state.
Naveen also stated that the government has failed to channel funds effectively towards people-centric programmes. He urged the Treasury Bench to ensure that the budget reflects the real needs of the public, especially in sectors that require immediate attention. According to him, the lack of seriousness in directing resources towards essential development has left the people disheartened.
He remarked that the neglect of crucial development areas is unfortunate and that the state government should focus on using public money for genuine welfare. During the debate, he questioned the government’s handling of several programmes and said that the administration must take responsibility for the gaps in delivery.
The Assembly witnessed a heated exchange during the session, with the opposition pressing the government to respond to the concerns raised. As the debate continues, the larger question remains whether the current allocations will be able to address the developmental challenges that Odisha faces.
This episode of the budget debate has added a fresh dimension to the political landscape, reflecting the increasing scrutiny of the government’s priorities and performance.
