The BJP on Saturday alleged that the BJD Government has neglected the State, particularly the most backward KBK region, more than the Central Government and slammed Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik for hoodwinking the people on the developmental plank during the present electioneering.
BJP leader Biswabhusan Harichandan dubbed Patnaik’s claim during his poll campaign in Balangir and Kalahandi districts relating to developmental works in the KBK region as “false and misleading”.
Flaying Patnaik for his anti-Centre rhetoric to remain in power, Harichandan told the media that Patnaik has been blaming the Union Government for neglecting the State, but “his Government has neglected the State more than the Centre.”
He said that during the 14 years of the Patnaik regime, the development of the KBK region is only in pen and paper. lack of development has forced lakhs of people of the region to migrate to other States in search of jobs, he pointed out.
The State Government has failed to utilise Central fund for implementation of the lower Suktel irrigation project and the money was returned to the Centre after 12 years, the BJP leader said.
He said infant and maternity mortality rates in the KBK region are a matter of serious concern. As per the 2011-12 annual health report, the IMR in Balangir district was 98 per thousand followed by 61 in Rayagada. The MMR in Balangir was 110, followed by 103 in Rayagada and 81 in Subarnaur.
He also alleged that BJD Government has become a stumbling block as far as railway development is concerned. The sanctioned railway projects are not being completed due to failure on the part of the State Government to acquire land despite allocation of funds, Harichandan said, adding that the Khordha-Balangir rail project is an example in this respect.
He said Patnaik is neither interested in knowing the language and culture of Odisha nor is he accessible to the people. Invoking the “Odia Swaviman” on Naveen Patnaik’s part is nothing but to befool the people, he said.