Odisha Tops NITI Aayog’s Fiscal Health Index: A Testament to Naveen Patnaik’s Good Governance

Bhubaneswar, 25/01/2025:In a remarkable achievement, Odisha has secured the top spot in the Fiscal Health Index 2025, published by the Central Government’s NITI Aayog. The report, which assesses the fiscal health of all states for the financial year 2022-23, has once again highlighted Odisha’s outstanding financial management and governance under the visionary leadership of the then Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik.

At a press conference held at ShankhaBhavan, Dr. SantruptMisra, senior Biju Janata Dal leader and political secretary to the party president, emphasized the significance of this achievement. “The BJP’s repeated propaganda that nothing has been accomplished during Naveen Patnaik’s tenure has been decisively proven wrong by this report from NITI Aayog. Odisha has consistently demonstrated fiscal discipline and prudent financial management, setting an example for the entire nation,” he stated.

The Fiscal Health Index reveals that Odisha achieved an overall score of 67.8, far ahead of Chhattisgarh (55.2) and Goa (53.6), which ranked second and third respectively. Odisha’s lead of 12 points over its nearest competitor underscores the state’s robust fiscal framework. While states like Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, and Haryana trail behind, Punjab, West Bengal, and Andhra Pradesh are ranked among the lowest in fiscal health.

Odisha’s consistent performance is a testament to its long-standing commitment to fiscal discipline. The state has maintained its top position in the achiever category from 2014-15 to 2021-22, according to the report. The debt index, in particular, highlights Odisha’s stellar performance, with a score of 99.0 for debt repayment and an impressive 64.0 for overall debt Sustainability. Additionally, Odisha scored 54 in fiscal discipline, 52 in expenditure quality, and 69.9 in revenue collection.

Dr. Mishra pointed out that Odisha’s fiscal deficit, which stood at a staggering 6.9% of the Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP) in 2000-01, has been reduced to an impressive 2% in 2022-23. Similarly, Odisha’s debt-to-GSDP ratio has remained within the FRBM Act guidelines, consistently ranging between 15% and 24% from 2018-19 to 2022-23. “This is an extraordinary transformation from 2000, when the state was financially crippled, and government employees depended on overdrafts for salaries,” he added.

Revenue collection has also shown significant growth, driven by Odisha’s booming mining sector. The state’s mining revenue has grown from 2.9% of the GSDP in 2018-19 to 5.6% in 2022-23. In addition, Odisha’s revenue expenditure has grown by 53.5%, with a 42% increase in capital expenditure during the same period. Notably, the state recorded a 33.8% rise in revenue expenditure for health and education between 2020-22, far surpassing other states.

Dr. Mishra said the Make in Odisha initiative of Naveen Patnaik Governmenthad made the state a hub for global industrial investment. Odisha was ranked the third-best state for attracting capital investment in 2022, second-best in 2023, and the top state in 2024. He criticized the BJP for renaming and claiming credit for the Naveen government’s successful programs. “Changing the name of a proven initiative like Make in Odisha does not erase its success or its origin,” he said.

Dr. Mishra concluded by highlighting that Odisha’s achievements are a reflection of Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik’s visionary leadership and governance model. He called on the BJP to acknowledge these accomplishments instead of dismissing them for political gain. “The people of Odisha will not accept attempts to undermine the state’s progress. Naveen Patnaik’s leadership has transformed Odisha into a model of fiscal discipline and development, and this report from NITI Aayog stands as irrefutable evidence of that,” he asserted.