Bhubaneswar: December 24: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday indirectly attacked the Odisha government for growing corruption in the state.
He, however, refrained from naming Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik during his attack at a public rally at NISER stadium in Khurda.
“What is the reason that from chit fund to PC (percentage commission) culture, the demon of corruption has become so powerful in Odisha? Who is feeding the demon?” asked the Prime Minister.
He alleged the farmers in Odisha are not getting the minimum support price (MSP) on agricultural produces even though the Centre has increased the MSP one-and-a-half times of the production cost.
“After all, why have the farmers of Odisha been craving for water, why are they not getting suitable procurement? Why is the big part of Odisha not getting safe drinking water? Why do the teachers here have to stage demonstration to get their salaries?” asked the Prime Minister.
He said the Central government is taking several steps for the development and benefit of the farmers.
“Today people of Odisha are asking why Odisha has not accepted Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana. If Odisha had implemented the scheme, people would have got free medical service across the country,” said Modi.
He also questioned the intention of the state government for not taking up the cleanliness campaign.
“After all, when the scope of cleanliness in the country has gone up to 97%, why has Odisha remained behind in the open defecation campaign?” asked the Prime Minister.
Invoking Lord Jagannath and paying tributes to Odia freedom fighters during his speech, He said the Central government is spending 5 times more than ever before on infrastructure and connectivity in villages and cities.
“Free gas connections have been given to nearly 35 lakh women of Odisha. Four-and-a-half years ago, only 20% of the households had a connection to gas and today, it has become almost 70%. In the near future, everyone should have a gas connection. We’re working in that direction,” said the Prime Minister.
“With the efforts of the Central Government, Odisha is also becoming a centre of higher education. Institutes like IIT Bhubaneswar, IIM Sambalpur, IISER Berhampur, will help young people in reaching new heights,”, he added.
He also informed that a world-class Skill Development Institute has been established in Bhubaneswar while more than 90 Eklavya schools are being opened for the education of tribal children.
“Nearly 12 lakh houses have been constructed in Odisha under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana. Over 18 lakh farmers are associated with the crop insurance scheme. More than 1,700 crore assistance has been provided to farmers due to crop loss,” the Prime Minister said.
“Our only goal is the all-round development of Odisha, the development of the people of Odisha, the youth, women, farmers and entrepreneurs,” he said. (IANS)
