PM Modi sounds poll bugle in Odisha with Development Agenda

ONI Bureau:  While addressing the huge gathering at the NISER Stadium in Khordha, PM Narendra Modi listed the contribution of his government to Odisha’s development and also took a dig at BJD Government in the state for failing to fulfill the aspirations of common people. However, he avoided any direct attack on Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik.

While Modi focused on development pitch, he slammed the Odisha government for lagging behind on all aspects despite the ruling the state for years. He also accused the state government of failing to fulfill the promises made to youths, women and farmers.

“The Odisha Government has failed the farmers despite all assistance given by the centre. Children in Odisha are suffering from malnutrition. Unemployment has been on the rise. Youths are being forced to migrate to other parts of the country in quest of livelihood. Clean drinking water still eludes majority of people in the state. PC (Percentage Commission) is rampant at the grassroots level, increasing corruption and obstructing development. Teachers are on the street, as their demands are not fulfilled. No improvement in irrigation sector yet. On Swachhata parameter, Odisha is doing very poor. People have not forgotten the pain of chit fund scam. It’s high time people of Odisha understand the reality, identify the people responsible for the crisis and make the right choice,” he added.

Modi minced no words to criticise the Odisha Government for its reluctance to implement Ayushman Bharat scheme in the state, saying while the scheme is benefiting people across the country, Odisha remains deprived of its benefits due to the state government,” he said.

PM Modi also criticised the Odisha Government for failing the farmers, saying all central assistance given towards their benefits, were not properly utilised by the state govt. Farmers are not getting adequate price in Odisha.

Earlier, he described how Centre has been committed to Odisha’s all-round development with various initiatives whether penetration of PM Ujjwala Yojana, construction of Urja Ganga gas pipeline project in 19 districts in the state, setting up of IIT Bhubaneswar, IIM Sambalpur and IISER Berhampur, Skill Development Institute in Bhubaneswar, upcoming 92 Eklavya Schools in Odisha for tribal kids, providing loans under MUDRA scheme, providing benefits to 18 lakh farmers under PM Fasal Bima Yojana, Rs 1700 crore given to farmers towards crop loss, 12 lakh houses under PM Awas Yojana and many other schemes that directly benefited the people.

The PM also said that with Rs 1.5 lakh crore investments in the petroleum sector, Odisha is going to be the Petroleum Hub in India.