Analysing performance of one-year of Congress government in the state, former chief Minister Raman Singh said first year of any government should reflect its vision for the next 5 to 10 years.
Congress government lacks it and its claim that to implement its unfulfilled promise next four years are there will not do. With one year gone, only three is left.
He said the Congress government in Chhattisgarh is functioning like erstwhile ‘Digvijaya government’ in Madhya Pradesh by going for ‘plan-holiday’ whereby 95% of the budget is spent on non-plan allocation while only 5% is earmarked for plan expenditure, bringing all infrastructure development, across the state, both in rural and urban areas, to a standstill. Only ADB supported works are in progress, he claimed while addressing media on Tuesday.
Comparing loan data, the BJP leader said, his government had laid emphasis on keeping deficit below 3% by taking only Rs 3000 crore loan annually, while the present government has burdened the people with Rs 15000 crore loan within a year.
He suggested, the BJP government constructed around 75,000 KM roads both normal and PMGSY, if more cannot be built at least maintain it. Health sector has also failed as smart health card and Ayushman scheme have been sidelined, Singh added.
Commenting on Baghel’s allegation of BJP led central government creating bottlenecks for funds, Raman Singh said CM’s approach should be positive and concentrate on creation of assets with development. “We had run government under UPA rule for 10 years and did not face any problem as we kept optimistic outlook and attitude towards the Centre,” he said.
Countering Baghel’s NRC comment, ex-CM said come up with separate citizenship bill for Chhattisgarh. NRC or CAA is under jurisdiction of the Centre and the state cannot interfere in it.
On Naxal front, Raman Singh said, “We had pushed back the Naxalites by establishing police stations and outposts. More than 15000 personnel were imparted jungle warfare training which did not exist when we came to power. Modern arms were given.”