Bhubaneswar, Dec 22: The BJD government's big claim of Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in various sectors in Odisha has turned out to be false if the list of the State-wise FID Equity Inflow from October 2019 to September 2023 is looked at.

Odisha has stood at 20th place in the FDI list of the States. The State has only received FDI investments of Rs 1251 core in the last four years.

Ironically, Odisha has seemingly failed to attract FDI even though crores of rupees were spent in Investors' Meets held in Japan and Dubai and at different places in the country, and Make in Odisha conclaves in Odisha. Taxpayers' money spent on visits of Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik and his Private Secretary VK Pandian has gone fruitless.

According to the FDI list, in the last four years, Maharashtra received Rs 4,72,829 crore FDI followed by Karnataka Rs 3,58, 517 crore and Gujarat 2,57,908 crore. Bihar and neighbouring States like Jharkhand and West Bengal are above Odisha in getting FDIs in the last four-year period.

Opposition leaders have pulled up the BJD government for making big claims concerning the FDI.

"Despite a conducive investment atmosphere availed in Odisha in all aspects, investors are not coming to invest in the State due to the wrong decision, faulty policy, and corruption," alleged BJP senior leader Prithviraj Harchandan.

Another saffron party leader Lekhasri Samant Singhar sacrastically said, "Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik had visited Japan and Dubai to attract foreign investors. Besides, he held Investors' Meets and three Make in Odisha Conclave Crores of rupees were spent on these events. However, Investments were limited to Rs 1300 crore only."

The data provided by the State government in the Assembly is also found to be untrue. While the government informed that 230 enterprises were closed for failing to repay loans, the real reason is said to be failure in business. Besides, allegations have also come to the fore that many industrialists have not used the land for the purpose they had taken. A few others have reportedly pledged the land and taken huge amounts of loans from banks.

"Odisha has not been equated to many other states in attracting FDI. The required atmosphere has not been created yet. Odisha government should take appropriate steps to attract FDIs in the coming days," said an expert working in the industry sector.

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