You took over the reins of the finance department only a fortnight ago. How is the health of the state’s finances?

If you go back to 2000, you will notice that the state did not even have the money to pay salaries to its employees. We were faced with overdraft situations on most days of the year. Things have changed now. The size of the budget has leapfrogged from Rs 2,200 crore to Rs 1.09 lakh crore. Of course, the debt burden has also increased. But things will improve once the government of India revises the coal royalty and accepts our demand for imposing green cess on sale of minerals. At this moment, the consuming state gets the tax revenue from minerals whereas citizens of mineral producing states like Odisha suffer from the pollution. This has to change.

Everyone is aware that the tax base has shrunk and there has been low tax collection. The government is committed to implement the seventh Pay Commission recommendations, which will create an additional of Rs 5,000 crore burden on the state exchequer. Do you have the money to execute welfare schemes announced by the government? 

We are committed to various development projects. This government is known for taking up projects for the downtrodden, underprivileged and the neglected. The Centre has neglected us in every sphere. Our demand for a special category state has been denied. Otherwise, we could have received funds in a 90:10 ratio (90 per cent grants and 10 per cent loan). Even in the railway sector, our demands have been ignored over the years. It almost took 32 years to complete the Khurda-Balangir railway line, which is only 232km long. In other states, it could have been completed within five to 10 years. Now, we are providing land and have also committed to share the project cost.

The Centre has also curtailed funds in various central schemes. When the Centre is taking an anti-Odisha stand, I can say that our government will arrange money from its own resources to continue various welfare schemes. 

The Assembly passed the GST bill in a special session. We witnessed serious debates on the issue, but there is confusion as to whether the state will benefit from GST… 

We are yet to assess this. It’s in the preliminary stage. The new tax system will come into effect from July 1. GST is going to be implemented on a “one nation, one market and one tax” principle. We have gone from a multiple tax regime system to a unitary tax system. This will bring fiscal discipline. As Odisha is a consumer state, we are hopeful of benefiting from GST. 

There has been a growing demand from farmers to waive crop loans. Even a section of your party leaders had raised the demand and the chief minister had assured to examine it. Being the finance minister, your decision on this issue is crucial. Can farmers expect good news? 

Our government has the mindset to work for farmers. Farmers pay one per cent interest on crop loans. We are encouraging farmers to repay their loans. But the demand for crop loan waiver needs to be examined from all angles. We have several commitments at this moment such as implementing the seventh Pay Commission recommendations and carrying out welfare programmes even though the Centre has reduced the flow of funds. At the same time, I can say that we will be working wholeheartedly for the overall development of farmers.

You are saying that the state finance is passing through a difficult phase as revenue collection has come down because of low collection of taxes from the mineral sector. At this point, can the state be able to implement the recommendations of the seventh Pay Commission? 

It is certainly a challenge for us. In principle, we are committed to implementing it. We have already constituted a fitment committee to examine it and find ways to implement it. We have also made budgetary provisions for it. There has only been some delay in implementing it. Once the committee submits its report, we will go ahead.

Besides being the finance minister, you are also a party spokesperson. We have noticed that voices of dissent have become more visible in your party, MPs are airing their views through articles and social media despite warnings from the party leadership. 

Perhaps you are talking about the tweets of Baijayant Panda and articles of Bhartruhari Mahatab. Sometimes, they air their personal opinions, but no one can dare to confront the leadership of Naveen Patnaik. I just want to tell you that the party is not confined to two to three MPs. There are lakhs of workers at grassroots levels who have shed their sweat for the party’s cause. They will come to the forefront and work for the party once the chief minister asks them to do so. 

Don’t you think that the party will split in the coming days? 

We had earlier faced a number of challenges. We had seen the May 29, 2012, coup. There is no such threat as Naveen Patnaik is providing decisive leadership to the party. 

You had once been denied a ticket to contest the general elections in 2009 and your supporters had even demonstrated outside Naveen Patnaik’s residence. Now you have emerged as the No. 2 man in the government. How do you look at yourself? 

It would be wrong not to admit that I was not shocked when I was denied a ticket. However, I had tried to analyse where I had gone wrong. But as a disciplined soldier, I continued to discharge the duties assigned to me. I was entrusted with the task of looking after three constituencies. Seeing my loyalty and discipline, my supporters took the entire issue in a sporting spirit. .

You are from a socialist background. There has been demand for complete prohibition in the state. Being the excise minister as well, what’s your stand? 

Complete prohibition is not practically possible at this moment. The Nitish Kumar government in Bihar is experimenting with it. Instead of complete prohibition, we should regulate it.

What would you have been, had you not been a politician? 

I had never though of doing a government job. I come from a family which believes in simplicity. Perhaps, I would have been  a social activist.