Odisha passes Rs 17,440 crore appropriation bill as Opposition stages walkout

The Odisha Assembly on Monday passed an appropriation bill allowing the state government to spend Rs 17,440 crore from its consolidated funds during the 2025–26 financial year, as Opposition members from the BJD and Congress walked out alleging the budget was “visionless”.

The Odisha Appropriation Bill (No. 2), 2025, was cleared by voice vote. Speaking in support of the Bill, Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, who also holds the finance portfolio, said, “I had presented the full budget of Rs 2.90 lakh crore for the current fiscal, which was earlier passed in the assembly. In the last eight months, our government has been implementing various programmes as per the budget provisions.”

Calling it a balanced budget aimed at the welfare of all sections, Majhi said various programmes were underway for farmers, women, the youth and the poor. “This Bill has been introduced for the additional expenditure required for successful implementation of these projects,” he said.

Majhi said Rs 13,716 crore of the total outlay would go towards programme expenditure. “From this, one can get an idea of the vision and intentions of the government,” he said. He added that the government had tried to prioritise capital expenditure. “Till November, the total revenue collection of the state has grown by 8.33 per cent compared to last year. This is 54 per cent of the budget estimate,” he said.

“We also aim to maintain the capital outlay at a level above 6 per cent of the state GDP. This will help in economic growth and assist us in carrying out various developmental and welfare programmes,” Majhi said.

Outside the House, Leader of Opposition Naveen Patnaik described the supplementary budget as “an empty vessel” that makes “good sound”. Although he attended the session, Patnaik did not participate in the debate.

Responding to his remarks, Majhi said Patnaik should make his comments on the floor of the House. “It is said by many people in our state and no expenditure is being made by the government for the people and their development. This is very sad to report. Time and again this is being brought to the attention of the state government that there must be some expenditure for the development of the people,” he said.

Patnaik alleged the government was neglecting development expenditure. “Everyone is suffering. It is not exclusively for any section; all are suffering. It (supplementary budget) is like an empty vessel and you know empty vessels sounds good and they are satisfied with it. I am very sorry to report this plight,” he said.

Majhi replied that Patnaik should be present during proceedings. “He is not present most of the time. It is another matter if his health is not good. He should attend the proceedings and make statements. The people will not accept the statements made on X posts,” the chief minister said.

Participating in the debate, Opposition Deputy Leader Prasanna Acharya termed the budget “an illusion”. He said, “I heard many members speaking and the debate is mostly on political aspects. As we discuss budget, there should be some economic issues.”

Citing NITI Aayog data, Acharya said the BJD took charge in 2000 when the state was “almost bankrupt” but improved the fiscal situation over 24 years of rule. “The BJD left the government when the state’s financial health was very positive. You (BJP) have inherited a government that is revenue surplus. Therefore, try to maintain it and do not push the state to bankruptcy again,” he said. He accused the current government of mismanaging a strong economy and pointed to falling GST collections and declining mining revenue.

BJD MLA Arun Kumar Sahoo said the government had increased the budget size through loans but failed to spend effectively. He flagged rising crimes against women, citing incidents in Balasore, Gopalpur se beach, Balanga and Malkangiri.

Congress MLA Rama Chandra Kadam questioned the government’s ability to utilise funds, noting underspending in the annual budget. He pointed to shortages of doctors and teachers and alleged tribal rights were being overlooked as mining projects deprived them of entitlements.

BJP MLA Tankadhar Tripathy countered the criticism, arguing that the previous BJD government “failed” to provide drinking water, irrigation, cold storage, and youth employment despite being in power for 24 years. He said voters had already rejected the BJD and predicted the party would not return to power for the next 25 years.

(With inputs from agencies)