Bhubaneswar: Senior BJD MLA from Bolangir Shri Kalikesh Narayan Singh Deo on Thursday sharply criticised the State Government during the Demand for Grants debate of the Industries & MSME Department in the Odisha Legislative Assembly, alleging that Odisha is losing its industrial momentum and failing to convert investment announcements into real projects.
Shri Singh Deo said that despite claims of a “golden era of industrialisation,” Odisha received only about ₹39 crore in Foreign Direct Investment in 2024–25 — barely 0.009% of India’s total inflows, raising serious questions about the state’s investment climate.
He accused the government of focusing on investment conclaves and announcements instead of project realisation, pointing out that several large projects discussed for Odisha have shifted to other states.
Citing examples, he said the ₹40,000 crore JSW EV and battery project moved to Maharashtra, while the proposed ₹1 lakh crore ArcelorMittal Nippon Steel project went to Andhra Pradesh, resulting in the loss of major investment and employment opportunities for the state. 
The Bolangir Legislator also raised concerns over the condition of the MSME sector, noting that the CM-SRIM scheme allocated ₹30 crore but reportedly disbursed only about ₹9 crore, reflecting poor delivery of support to small entrepreneurs.
Highlighting regional imbalance, Shri Singh Deo said western Odisha districts such as Bolangir continue to remain neglected in industrial planning, forcing thousands of young workers to migrate every year in search of employment.
Calling for corrective measures, he demanded the creation of a dedicated Western Odisha Industrial Development Board to drive targeted investments, MSME parks and agro-processing industries in the region.
“Without focused intervention, districts like Bolangir will continue to remain outside the state’s industrial growth story,” he said.
Shri Singh Deo urged the government to present a White Paper on major investment projects that have moved out of Odisha and take concrete steps to restore investor confidence.
“The people of Odisha want factories, industries and jobs on the ground — not just investment announcements,” Senior Lawmaker Shri Singh Deo said.