The Congress State unit on Friday took to the street across the State and organised ‘Dhikkar Divas’ (Reprimand Day) in order to reach out people highlighting the failures of the Central and State Governments.
Interestingly, the day was observed when Union Minister Nitin Gadkari was in Bhubaneswar addressing a Press conference and interacting with intellectuals about his Government’s achievements.
As part of the protest, members of the main opposition force in the State gheraoed block, civic body and district Collectors’ offices.
leading the protest march in the State capital, PCC president Prasad Harichandan alleged that both the BJP-led NDA Government at the Centre and the BJD Government in the State have been unkind to the people of Odisha.
The activists had a scuffle with police when they attempted to enter the block office here.
“Recently, the BJD Government published a report card depicting the State’s progress to mark the second anniversary of the fourth term of the Naveen Patnaik Government. Similarly, the Narendra Modi Government also highlighted its achievements observing Vikas Utsavs to commemorate completion of its two years. What types of development have they done while people of as many as 25,000 villages are deprived of drinking water,” asked Harichandan. Maintaining that there has been no perceptible development in the State, Harichandan said that while sale of liquor in the State has increased, 30 lakh people are still waiting for electricity.
“There are no roads to 12,500 villages while 70 lakh eligible beneficiaries have not received NFSA cards as yet. Is this the development the BJD and BJP Governments are talking aboutIJ” questioned Harichandan.
The party also protested the breach of privilege of its members, including the leader of Opposition, in the State Assembly. Besides, it also raised the issue of indifference of the BJD Government towards ST and SC MlAs.