In what could be seen as sounding the poll bugle for the 2019 election in Odisha, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday launched a sharp attack on the Naveen Patnaik government.
“We are getting people’s support in executing different developmental schemes. It is a matter of fact that the Odisha government appeared to be indifferent towards implementing various development projects, when it should be more concerned. I have to wake it up from Delhi to get things done,” Mr. Modi said while addressing a public meeting at Jharsuguda.
‘Decades-old pace’
“The [present] government wants to take the State forward at the decades-old pace at which Odisha was moving. Corruption and delay in taking decisions have become synonymous with the Odisha government,” he said.
“Before the BJP formed government at the Centre, Odisha was being provided ₹82,000 crore in five year intervals. After we came to power, the amount has increased to approximately ₹2,00,000 crore. Is the impact of increase in fund flow visible on the ground? Isn’t it a matter of concern? Where is all money going?” he asked.
“Be it Odisha’s health sector or malnutrition situation or maternal mortality rate or infant mortality rate or the fall in the number of girls compared to boys, all these should make people concerned. I don’t say that these problems do not persist in other backward States. But the approach of the State government towards these issues matters the most,” Mr. Modi said.
“I had requested Naveen babu (Mr. Patnaik) to expedite construction of toilets. Till now, Odisha has not joined the Ayushman Bharat Yojana, which is coming into force in the entire country from Sunday. The health scheme the State government is implementing has its limitations. Everybody knows its fate,” he said.
In response, Mr. Patnaik said, “He should have deliberated on the Skill India Mission scam and the Ujjala scam. He should take the record high prices of diesel and petrol very seriously.”
