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Odisha's Industrial Reality Check: Why BJD Claims Growth Claims Are False

The opposition BJD has sharply criticized the Odisha government's claims of industrial growth. They argue the reality includes major projects leaving the state and key economic indicators declining. The party specifically points to the exit of multi-crore projects like JSW's EV battery plant. BJD warns it will oppose any attempt to exploit the state's mineral wealth under the guise of industrialization.

Key Points: BJD Counters Odisha Govt Claims on Industrial Growth and Investment

  • BJD alleges state government's industrial growth narrative contradicts falling GSDP and investment rates
  • Major projects like JSW EV battery and ArcelorMittal have shifted out of Odisha
  • Party claims BJP dismantled pro-investment ecosystem built under Naveen Patnaik
  • Unemployment has risen to 3.9% despite claims of job creation from new proposals
2 min read

BJD claims reality of industrial growth contradicts govt's claims

BJD alleges Odisha's industrial growth claims contradict ground reality, citing major project exits and falling GSDP. Spokesperson Lenin Mohanty criticizes BJP government.

"Although the BJP state Government claims a lot about industrialisation, the JSW Group’s EV battery project worth Rs 40,000 crore has already been shifted to Maharashtra... - Lenin Mohanty, BJD Spokesperson"

Bhubaneswar, Dec 22

The opposition Biju Janata Dal (BJD) on Monday took a dig at the state government, alleging that its claims of high industrial development in Odisha are completely contrary to the situation on the ground.

Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, upon returning from the two-day investors’ meet and roadshow in Hyderabad, on Monday, expressed satisfaction over the outcome of the mega event, noting that in the event, the state government received proposals worth Rs 66,781 crore, with the potential to generate employment for around 56,430 people.

The party in a press release alleged that while the BJP-led state government has been boasting about attracting huge investment for industrial development in Odisha by organising various kinds of events across the country and abroad, wasting crores of rupees from the state exchequer. The party, however, claimed that the reality on the ground tells a completely different story.

BJD Spokesperson and Media Coordinator Lenin Mohanty stated, “Although the BJP state Government claims a lot about industrialisation, the JSW Group’s EV battery project worth Rs 40,000 crore has already been shifted to Maharashtra, and the ArcelorMittal Nippon Steel project worth Rs 1 lakh crore has been shifted from Kendrapara to Andhra Pradesh. Similarly, the SRam-NRam semiconductor project and the Waaree Solar project have also left Odisha.”

Accusing the state government of misleading people over industrialisation, He further added that the Double-Engine Government had come to power with the slogan of “Double Development”, but Central assistance has gone down by 18.19 per cent, while the GSDP growth rate has fallen from 9.6 per cent to 7.2 per cent.

The industrial growth rate has declined from 8.7 per cent to 6.1 per cent. On the other hand, the unemployment rate in the State has increased to 3.9 per cent, yet the State Government continues to sell false dreams to the people.

Mohanty alleged that the BJP has dismantled the pro-investment ecosystem built under former Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, by discontinuing key industrial programmes and failing to implement investment proposals worth Rs 16 lakh crore received during the previous government.

The BJD spokesperson also warned that if the government attempts to plunder Odisha’s mineral-rich wealth in the name of industrialisation, the Biju Janata Dal will strongly oppose it.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

R
Rohit P
Proposals worth 66k crore sound great on paper, but the BJD is right to ask where the actual ground reality is. We've seen this before - big announcements, zero follow-through. The unemployment numbers don't lie. 🤔
A
Aman W
As someone from Odisha, it's painful to see projects shifting to Maharashtra and Andhra. Why can't we retain them? We have the resources and the workforce. Is it about policy uncertainty? The government must answer.
S
Sarah B
While criticism is valid, let's also acknowledge that attracting proposals is the first step. The CM just returned from the meet. Maybe we should give the new government some time to convert these proposals into reality before writing them off completely?
K
Karthik V
The warning about plundering mineral wealth is serious. Odisha's resources should benefit Odias first. Industrialization is needed, but not at the cost of exploiting the state. BJD's role as a constructive opposition is crucial here.
N
Naveen S
The statistics are damning: GSDP growth down, industrial growth down, unemployment up. You can't argue with that data. "Double Engine" seems to be running on empty promises right now. Hope they course-correct soon for the sake of the youth.

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