The Biju Janata Dal (BJD) on Wednesday criticised the Odisha government, stating that its programmes remain largely confined to speeches and rhetoric, failing to reach the people effectively.

Reacting to Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi’s address at the District Collectors’ Conference, BJD spokesperson and media coordinator Lenin Mohanty said that over sixteen months after the BJP assumed power in the state, its initiatives remain limited to announcements rather than tangible benefits.

Mohanty noted that merely changing the names and colours of schemes introduced by the previous BJD government has not helped citizens. Most initiatives remain on paper as declarations without actual implementation.

He highlighted that several issues raised by the Chief Minister during the conference have raised serious concerns.

For example, the Chief Minister’s directive to curb illegal sand and minor mineral mining reflects a delayed acknowledgement of the growing problem across Odisha.

“The BJD has consistently raised concerns about the steep rise in illegal sand and mineral trade since the BJP came to power,” Mohanty said. He added that state revenue from minor minerals has dropped drastically, from Rs. 1,485 crore in 2023–24 to just Rs. 600 crore in 2024–25.

Similarly, Mohanty criticised the government’s failure to control the illegal liquor trade. Despite the hooch tragedy in Ganjam district, where five people died after consuming spurious liquor, the Chief Minister’s recent instructions acknowledge that bootlegging remains unchecked.

While the Chief Minister claimed that the “Viksit Odisha” programme attracted investment proposals worth Rs. 17 lakh crore, Mohanty said the reality is starkly different.

Industrial growth has been minimal, and several projects that signed MoUs under the previous BJD government—such as the JSW EV plant, ArcelorMittal steel plant, and S. Ram & Ram Semiconductor Company—have reportedly moved to other states.

Mohanty further criticised the state administration for spending crores from the exchequer on publicity and self-promotion while most government programmes remain stalled. He emphasised that the focus should be on genuine governance and development rather than announcements.