Odisha BJP Chief Spokesman Ashok Sahu on Odisha Budget 2013-14

Ashok Sahu, Odisha State BJP Vice-President

Odisha state unit of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) termed the Budget Proposals (Odisha Budget 2013-14 presented in the Odisha State Assembly) as lackluster and described the same as 'Old wine in new Bottles'.

Reacting to the detailed Budget proposed by the State Finance Minister, the BJP Vice-President and the Chief Spokesman of the Party Ashok Sahu said that the government is spending much more than it collects as revenue.

He further said that, Rs. 1312 Crore for purchase of one rupee rice is an election stunt that the CM has to keep as promised. (Recently ruling Chief Minister of the state Naveen Patnaik has declared the said scheme on lieu of which rice will be provided to the BPL, APL and some other category citizens at Re.1 per K.g.).

The Biju Kandhamal and Gajapati development schemes have not received adequate attention and Rs. 28.5 Crore for these two districts is too meager an amount, Shri Sahu pointed out. The basic needs of the villagers like rural roads, drinking water and electricity schemes are not properly addressed in these undeveloped areas.

Even the allotment for the Paschim Odisha Vikash Parishad, the Western Odisha Development Council (WODC) is also inadequate. When money allotted in last budget lies unspent under major irrigation projects, what use it is to allot more than 1750 Crore rupees under that head, Sahu quipped.

The proposal to distribute 20,000 mobile sets to farmers will be another corruption to select only party loyalists and benefit from government fund. Spending for the benefit of farmers is an eye wash, when there is no provision for 'Bonus' for distress sale.

A large number of farmers have not received the insurance for failure of crops during last financial year. In this budget, there should have been provision for accommodating those claimants also.

The Budget is an eye wash to benefit the farmers. There is no novelty, rather it is the Old wine in new bottles, Shri Sahu said.

(This article is based on a PRESS RELEASE by Ashok Sahu, Odisha state BJP Vice-President and the Chief Spokesman – Himanshu Guru, Blogger)