Former Chief Minister and Leader of Opposition Naveen Patnaik praised the fiscal management that elevated Odisha from financial distress to a top economic performer in the country. He commended Odisha for securing the top spot in NITI Aayog’s “Fiscal Health Index” for 2023–24, highlighting the state’s robust financial discipline under his leadership.
Patnaik expressed pride in Odisha’s achievement, surpassing Goa with a score of 73.1 in the report. He emphasized the state’s remarkable journey from near bankruptcy in 2000 to becoming a leader in various fiscal parameters. Patnaik credited this success to the governance principles of #5T, focusing on teamwork, technology, transparency, timeliness, and transformation for enhanced public service delivery.
The former CM underscored Odisha’s progress in fiscal health, citing improvements in expenditure quality, revenue generation, fiscal responsibility, and debt reduction. He acknowledged the people of Odisha for their role in supporting the state’s transformative initiatives, including disaster management, infrastructure projects, poverty alleviation programs, and food security schemes.
Patnaik expressed concerns about the current state government’s financial management, cautioning against potential bankruptcy and a setback in development progress. He urged for prudent financial decisions to sustain the state’s growth trajectory and ensure continued prosperity for its residents.
