The Congress on Monday came down heavily on both the Modi Government at the Centre and the Naveen Patnaik Government in the State on the NITI Aayog SDGs Index ranking showing Odisha among five bottom-States. The party alleged that both BJP and BJD have deceived people in the name of development. While the Central Government is trying to develop hatred among people promising Achhe Din, the State Government, which came to power promising transparency in administration, is involved in massive corruption. This was stated by Congress leaders, including former Finance Minister Panchanan Kanungo, citing the recent NITI Aayog SDGs index in a Press conference here. The party leaders raised the seven following questions for both BJP and BJP and sought their answer.

 “Have these Governments faith in the data revealed by some prominent established institutions like CMIE, NITI Aayog, ILO, Azim Premji University and banking institutions? For how long you will be blaming the Congress party and its leaders for your failures on all fronts? On which basis the State Government was getting certificates and appreciations from the Union Government but now blaming the Centre for the NITI Aayog revelations? While neighbouring countries have performed well in employment sector, despite its promise to provide jobs to 14 crore unemployed youths, is it not true that before Covid-19 pandemic, India had record unemployment crisis? Is it not true that the wealth of three per cent people has grown exponentially and 97 % people’s income has gradually decreased? Why the prices of essential commodities and petroleum products are skyrocketing whereas it was under control during the Congress Government? Why has the growth of GDP drastically come down?”

The Press meet was also attended by Congress leaders Manoranjan Dash, Prashant Satpathy and Rajani Mohanty.