The speakers launched a scathing attack on the BJP-led NDA Government at the Centre for less work more talk in the preparatory meeting for north Odisha youth convention of the Biju Youth Janta Dal (BYJD), the youth wing of the BJD.

They urged the youth brigade of the party to be active in social media and use the platform to convey the successes and achievements of the 17 years’ BJD rule  to the common mass.

They alleged that the ruling BJP at the Centre was trying to destroy the federal structure and was solely  banking on publicity and advertisement by splurging huge money from the Government coffers.

The preparatory meeting was held in the premises  of Nocci, which was attended by the  youth leaders of Baleswar, Bhadrak, Mayurbhanj and Keonjhar  for the forthcoming zonal convention of youth leaders scheduled to be held on June 11 at Nocci,  which would be addressed by Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik.

Higher Education Minister  Ananta Das, Baleswar MP RK Jena, former Ministers Sanjay Dasburma, Atanu Sabyasachi Nayak , Pranab Prakash Das, besides BJD MlAs JP Dash , Sukanta Nayak , Byamokesh Ray, Pranab Balbantray , Ganeswar Patra , Nityananda Sahu , Parsuram Dhada , Aswani Patra , Jyotiprakash Panigrahi and ZP president Nibedita Mohanty were among others who spoke.

Briefing to the mediapersons, Dasburma, who is former president of the BYJD, said that the State has been bearing the brunt of Central neglect for years. The situation has further deteriorated as the Centre has stalled several schemes and reduced the grants. Besides, Odisha’s long standing demand for special category status falls in the deaf ear, he lamented.

He said despite a huge revenue generation in railway sector, the sector didn’t receive proportionate fund from the Centre for expansion and new projects etc. in Odisha.  Odisha didn’t find a place in the proposed industrial corridor, he said.

Das, besides alleging that all the claims made by the BJP Government at the Centre tall and hollow, asked where the promise of providing job to the two crore unemployed youths each year has gone.

On the Mahanadi  river issue, Dasburma maintained that Odisha  would suffer  during non monsoon season owing to the construction of barrages and  dams in Chhattisgarh.

A comparative figure was placed before the audience  by the MP Jena about the progress and development of Odisha vis- a -vis  some other developed States, including BJP - ruled States.

He said that Odisha has achieved more than  the other developed States and national averages in several sectors including GDP rate, poverty alleviation, agriculture income,  attracting outside investment, house for poor and electrification.

Dasburma , further said that  there would be about 5,000 youths participating  in the zonal convention of BYJD.