Mohan Majhi government prescribes new colour, closely resembling saffron, for government buildings in Odisha

The Mohan Majhi government in Odisha has announced a uniform colour code for all new government buildings, as well as existing ones during periodic repairs, opting for an exterior shade that closely resembles saffron — a colour widely associated with the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

A notification issued by the Works Department says all government buildings and State public sector units would have uniform exterior colour which was prescribed to be RGB mix (254, 190 and 152).

The new notification stoked a political controversy as the principal Opposition Biju Janata Dal took strong exception to the new announcement.

“The BJP government, in its 13 months of rule, has completely failed to deliver good governance. Law and order in the State has broken down, and women feel increasingly unsafe. There has been a disturbing rise in cases of rape, gang rape, and crimes against women. Instead of addressing these issues, the change of colour of government building is an attempt to distract attention from failures,” said BJD spokesperson Lenin Mohanty.

“Spending thousands of crores of rupees from the State treasury to paint government buildings with saffron will not be accepted by the people. At a time when the government is failing on all fronts, its focus on painting buildings is akin to Nero playing the fiddle while Rome burns,” said Mr. Mohanty.