In a notification issued by the Works Department, the state government announced the adoption of a uniform colour scheme for government buildings
Bhubaneswar: The BJP-led government in Odisha has officially mandated saffron as the standard colour for all government office buildings — both existing and newly constructed — across the state.
In a notification issued by the works department, the state government announced the adoption of a uniform colour scheme for government buildings.
As per the directive, government buildings are to be painted in red, green and blue (RGB) shades resembling light saffron for the main exterior and terracotta for borders. The new policy will apply to all departments and public sector undertakings operating under the state government.
This is not the first such directive. A similar order was issued in October last year, instructing engineering departments to follow the same colour code during construction or maintenance of government buildings.
In March this year, the state government extended the colour scheme to educational infrastructure, ordering all government schools to be painted in shades of orange with orange tan borders during any construction, repair, or renovation work.
In another symbolic shift, the BJP government under Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi revised the school uniform design for secondary students under the Mukhyamantri Chhatra Chhatri Paridhan Yojana, replacing the earlier white and green uniforms with light brown and maroon attire.
The move has sparked sharp criticism from opposition parties, particularly the Biju Janata Dal (BJD) and the Congress.
BJD spokesperson Lenin Mohanty alleged that the government is more focussed on cosmetic changes than on real issues.
“This is a diversionary tactic to shift attention from the rising incidents of atrocities against women and girls in the state,” he said.
“In the 13 months of BJP rule, governance has deteriorated, law and order is collapsing, and women’s safety is at an all-time low. There have been 13 instances of question paper leaks in as many months. The Rath Yatra and exams were mismanaged. Instead of addressing these failures, the government is busy changing colours,” Mohanty said.
Echoing the criticism, senior Congress leader Jaydev Jena remarked, “Changing the colour of buildings, student uniforms, and even milk packet covers reflects the shallow priorities of a national party and its state leadership.”
