'Promises Fulfilled': Odisha CM Majhi On 1-Year Report Card, Patnaik Slams 'Development Rhetoric'
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The BJP has claimed that its government has fulfilled half of the promises made in its manifesto, while the BJD countered this by saying mere rhetoric cannot lead to development
A political tussle has erupted over the state government's one-year report card between Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi and his predecessor, Naveen Patnaik. The BJP has claimed that the state government has fulfilled at least half of the promises made in its manifesto, while the BJD countered this by saying mere rhetoric cannot lead to development.
Majhi presented a detailed report card highlighting the achievements of his government and outlined the roadmap for the future on Tuesday. He said the government has taken steps to fulfil 11 out of 21 promises as outlined in the 'Sankalp Patra' in the first 12 months in office.
'We have not simply governed, we have fulfilled the hopes of the people. Whatever we promised, we have delivered," Majhi said. 'My simplicity is not a weakness. There are many things behind my comments. Many secrets will be revealed in the future. Anyone involved in corruption will face stringent action. Recently, we have acted against IAS officers, mine owners, and contractors. Many senior officials are facing the consequences, with over 200 senior officials under scrutiny. Many big fish are in jail."
He said the government is taking steps to investigate mining, chit fund scams, and various corruption cases. Officers have been tasked with collecting more information and the process of reorganising the Lokayukta has begun, he added.
Expressing his gratitude for the BJP-led Centre's support for Odisha, Majhi further said Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to visit Odisha on June 20.
Listing some major initiatives, he said on June 12 last year, the state cabinet took four landmark decisions aimed at people-centric governance: opening all four gates of Shree Jagannath Temple in Puri for devotees; launching the Subhadra Yojana for women empowerment; establishing a Rs 500 crore corpus fund for the temple's development; and providing an Rs 800 bonus per quintal for paddy to farmers. He added that around 17 lakh 'lakhpati didis' have been empowered through targeted women-centric schemes, fulfilling the government's vision of self-reliant rural households.
Highlighting education as a major focus, the chief minister said the launch of 'Godavarish Mishra Adarsh Vidyalaya' in each panchayat and the implementation of the New Education Policy (NEP) will revolutionise teaching and learning.
'WHERE ARE THE PEOPLE'
Former CM Naveen Patnaik, however, slammed the BJP government accusing it of focusing on long speeches and advertisements rather than real development. During the launch of the 'Jana Jagaran Abhiyan' at Sankha Bhawan, he questioned the state government's achievements.
'They call it a people's government. But where are the people? Long speeches and big advertisements alone cannot bring development," Patnaik said.
Patnaik said during the BJD's tenure, 90 per cent of the state's population benefited from the 'Biju Swasthya Kalyan Yojana'. 'The current Ayushman Bharat scheme fails to provide medicine or free hospital treatment. Thousands, including mothers, the elderly, cancer patients, and children, are facing harassment," he said.
He alleged that the health system has collapsed, with posts of chief district medical officer lying vacant in 19 out of 30 districts. 'This is the so-called success of the current government," he said.
Patnaik further claimed that 'Mission Shakti' brought glory to the state across India, but the present government has weakened this movement in a year. He noted that in 2000, the BJD had inherited a state with a loan burden of Rs 18,000 crore, and the government was running on overdraft.
'By 2024, the BJD left a treasury surplus of Rs 45,000 crore. The current government is now running on record loans," he added.
He alleged that farmers are being exploited by millers while irrigation projects, which reached record high under the BJD, have been halted by the current regime.
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