Bhubaneswar, September 17 (Daily Kiran) : The Biju Janata Dal (BJD) has expressed strong concerns regarding rising inflation and the prices of essential goods in Odisha. The party criticized the state government for its failure to manage inflation effectively.
In a statement, BJD spokesperson Mihir Rai highlighted that since the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) came to power two years ago, Odisha’s inflation rate has consistently exceeded the national average, indicating the government’s shortcomings.
According to a report on inflation released in August 2026, the national inflation rate stood at 4.82%, while Odisha’s rate was notably higher at 5.52%. This figure places Odisha as the fifth highest in inflation among all states, with only Andhra Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, and Telangana reporting higher rates.
Rai further noted that inflation in rural areas of Odisha is surpassing that in urban regions. The rural inflation rate was recorded at 5.90%, compared to 4.47% in urban areas. For the fiscal year 2024-25, the national inflation rate is projected at 4.6%, while Odisha’s is expected to reach 6.0%. This trend reveals that Odisha’s inflation remains persistently above the national average, with rural inflation consistently exceeding urban inflation.
The spokesperson emphasized that the rising costs of sugar, onions, cooking oil, and other essential commodities are causing significant distress for consumers. He accused the state government of lacking seriousness in implementing effective measures to control inflation.
Rai pointed out that among the 42 departments of the state government, the Department of Food Supply and Consumer Welfare is performing the worst. He criticized the department for being inactive during a time when Odisha’s inflation rates remain alarmingly high.
The BJD has called on the state government to take immediate and effective action to curb rising inflation, providing much-needed relief to the public.
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