Odisha’s fifth rank in NITI index is Naveen government’s legacy, claims BJD

The opposition Biju Janata Dal (BJD) on Friday claimed Odisha’s fifth-place ranking in the NITI Aayog’s Investment Friendliness Index was the outcome of over two decades of industrial reforms and fiscal discipline under former Chief Minister Biju Janata Dal , accusing the BJP government of falsely claiming credit for the achievement.

Addressing a press conference here on Friday, former minister and BJD MLA Captain Dibya Shankar Mishra and party spokesperson Dr Lenin Mohanty said the recognition was a matter of pride for every Odia but alleged that the BJP government was attempting to portray it as the result of its two-year tenure.

Advertisement

The BJD leaders said Odisha’s emergence as one of the country’s leading investment destinations was the result of 24 years of stable governance, policy consistency and investor-friendly reforms under the previous BJD government.

They credited Naveen Patnaik’s administration with developing ports and logistics infrastructure, promoting industrial corridors and downstream industries, introducing a transparent single-window clearance system and strengthening skill development through initiatives such as the World Skill Centre.

Mishra said these measures attracted investments across sectors including steel, aluminium, mining, petrochemicals, manufacturing, electronics, information technology, food processing, textiles and services.

Citing the Centre for Monitoring Indian Economy (CMIE), he claimed Odisha had emerged as the country’s top destination for investment proposals in 2019.

He further alleged that despite announcing investment proposals worth nearly Rs 3 lakh crore since assuming office, the BJP government had failed to establish major industrial projects or create new industrial corridors, making its claim over the NITI Aayog recognition unjustified.

Mohanty said Odisha’s ranking reflected years of fiscal discipline, transparent governance and policy stability under the BJD government. He alleged that the BJP was trying to appropriate the previous government’s achievements through publicity campaigns instead of focusing on fresh industrialisation initiatives.

He noted that Naveen Patnaik had congratulated the state government on Odisha’s latest ranking, describing it as the outcome of years of strategic planning and sustained industrial policy.

Instead of taking credit for policies and projects initiated during the previous regime, the regional party urged the BJP government to focus on attracting fresh investments, establishing new industries, generating employment and strengthening the state’s fiscal management.