Naveen Patnaik Slams Union Budget 2026, Calls It a Missed Opportunity for Odisha
In a sharp critique of the Union Budget 2026, former Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik expressed disappointment, stating it offers “no noteworthy benefits” for Odisha. He highlighted a pattern of neglect under the “double engine government,” referring to the BJP-led governments at both the central and state levels.
Patnaik lamented that high expectations for infrastructure, job creation, and resource allocation were not met, asserting that “the state has received very little.” While he welcomed the proposed Rare Earth Corridor, he criticized other budget aspects as repetitive, citing the National Waterways announcement as an outdated proposal with no real progress.
A significant concern was Odisha’s exclusion from seven new High-Speed Rail corridors, which Patnaik linked to the earlier halt of the Bhubaneswar Metro project. He also noted the oversight of Odisha in the tourism-centric Scheme for Development of Buddhist Circuits, despite its significant historical sites.
Patnaik characterized the budget as one that exploits Odisha’s resources without fair investment in the state, urging the BJP government to demand Odisha’s “rightful dues.” His remarks highlight growing discontent over fiscal inequities in a state rich in minerals, as calls for equitable federalism gain momentum ahead of the upcoming state assembly elections
