Odisha Pradesh Congress Committee (OPCC) President Bhakta Charan Das slammed the Union Budget for the 2026–27 financial year, labeling it as ‘anti-people’ and ‘directionless’. Das criticized the budget, alleging that it primarily favors a select group of industrialists while neglecting the needs of farmers, women, youth, the poor, and the middle class. He expressed concerns over the budget’s lack of focus on critical sectors like education, healthcare, employment generation, agriculture, and women’s welfare.
Das highlighted the growing national debt under the current government, stating that the country has accumulated significant loans amounting to around Rs 200 lakh crore. He emphasized that this level of debt poses a burden on future generations and criticized the decrease in household savings. Das accused the government of prioritizing corporate development over public welfare and criticized the skewed distribution of resources towards big capitalists.
Focusing on Odisha, Das mentioned that the state did not receive adequate attention in the budget. He criticized infrastructure projects like freight corridors, claiming they primarily benefit coal and industrial goods transportation rather than local communities. Das concluded by urging the government to reconsider its priorities, emphasizing the need for inclusive growth, social welfare, and equitable development, especially for states like Odisha and vulnerable sections of society.
