BHUBANESWAR: Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Tuesday launched a sharp attack on the Opposition for its conduct in the Assembly over SCB Medical College and Hospital fire mishap, accusing it of politicising a sensitive issue instead of engaging in a constructive debate.
In his reply to the discussion on the Appropriation Bill, Majhi criticised the Opposition for disrupting proceedings and staging protests outside the House. He took a swipe at what he described as the “growing bonhomie” between the Congress and the BJD, referring to their joint demonstration at Lower PMG demanding the resignation of Health minister Mukesh Mahaling on the issue.
“I am personally very happy with this development. However, I have a suggestion for them that before forming such alliances, parties should ensure internal unity and retain the confidence of their own legislators, so as to avoid defections,” Majhi remarked.
He urged the two parties to continue their cooperation in a constructive manner and raise all important public issues within the Assembly, ensuring that discussions ultimately serve the interests of the people. “The Assembly is the appropriate forum to discuss such serious issues. They should come here and debate. People are watching their activities both inside and outside the House, and they will give a proper reply at the right time.”
Highlighting his government’s response to the SCB fire mishap, Majhi asserted that swift and decisive action had been taken.
“Our government has taken prompt action against officials responsible for the fire incident and has instituted a judicial probe to ascertain the cause and fix accountability,” he said.
Expressing disappointment over the absence of Opposition members during crucial discussions on departmental expenditure demands, the chief minister justified the state’s `3.10 lakh crore budget for 2026-27, describing it as a forward-looking blueprint aimed at accelerating growth, strengthening welfare measures and positioning Odisha as a major economic force in eastern India.
Highlighting the state’s fiscal health, Majhi said Odisha continues to maintain strong financial discipline, with a debt-to-GSDP ratio of 14.1 per cent, well below the prescribed limit. The fiscal deficit is projected at around 3.5 per cent, while capital expenditure has been pegged at `72,100 crore, accounting for 6.5 per cent of GSDP, which is among the highest in the country.
The chief minister said the state’s Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP) is expected to reach `11.07 lakh crore, with a growth rate of around eight per cent. “This is precisely the reason for which Odisha has emerged as a preferred investment destination, accounting for over 13 per cent of the country’s proposed investments,” he said.
The chief minister said the budget aligns with the long-term Vision 2036 and 2047 roadmap, setting an ambitious target of transforming Odisha into a $500 billion economy by 2036 and a $1.5 trillion economy by 2047.
The Opposition members who boycotted the first session, however, participated in the discussion on the Appropriation Bill which was passed by voice vote.