India, June 4 -- Odisha's inability to fully utilise the 2024-25 central funds has led to a 18.19% reduction in federal grants a year after the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) swept to power in Odisha on the back of its electoral promise to accelerate development through "double engine" governments in the state at the Centre. Officials aware of the matter said the central grants to Odisha rose by 15.48% under the previous Biju Janata Dal (BJD) government in 2023-24 compared to 2022-23, thanks to effective lobbying and better expenditure planning.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union home minister Amit Shah led the BJP's 2024 poll campaign in Odisha, focused on the potential benefits of the "double engine" government, helping the party win...