Ruling BJD in Odisha, Congress slam Union Budget 2021; BJP differs

Bhubaneswar: In an unusual scenario, ruling BJD in Odisha and Opposition Congress today crossed path while reacting to the Union Budget 2021 presented by Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman. While BJD stated the Union Finance Minister’s proposal to reduce State’s share in central taxes will lead to significant losses for Odisha, Congress did not find anything concrete in the Union Budget 2021 for commoners.

BJD President and Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik said the State would be hit hard by a drastic reduction of share in the Central taxes by about Rs 10,840 crore for the current year. “This will seriously impact the State,” he added.

He also asked the Centre as to why there is not much capital investments in railways and highway sectors in Odisha whereas significant similar investments has been planned for other states.

Terming the Union Budget 2021 a ‘disappointing’ one, OPCC President Niranjan Patnaik said, “It will only benefit a particular section of the society especially corporate sector. A plan has been prepared to hand over the country to big companies. There is nothing in the Union Budget 2021 for commoners. There is no provision in the Union Budget for employment generation and increase income of farmers in the post-epidemic scenario.”

Begging to differ BJP’s Odisha unit President, Samir Mohanty said the Union Budget presented by the Union Finance Minister suits to all sections of the society.

“This budget focuses on development and progress of the country. Health, sanitation, nutrition, food, and drinking water are focus areas. The Union Budget 2021 will play a crucial role in fulfilling the dreams and aspirations of the country’s youths,” he added.