In a strong reaction to Agriculture Minister Dr Damodar Rout’s allegations against the Union Government on Thursday, the BJP on Friday said Rout has forgotten his own responsibility and is raising voice against the BJP in order to cover up the State Government’s failures.
“Dr Damodar Rout is playing new drama to cover up the Naveen Patnaik Government’s failures by raising voice against the BJP.
He is forgetting his responsibility as a Minister. He is being used as Shikhandi by the Dhrutarashtra-like BJD chief,” alleged BJP general secretary lekhashree Samantsinghar.
Samantsinghar slammed Rout severely quoting his reply relating to cold storages in the State Assembly. “In the year 2000, the State had five cold storages in working condition and 12 others defunct. Now, the State has five cold storages in working condition and 13 defunct. Is it the efficiency of the Naveen Government,” she wanted to know.
Stating that 34 per cent of paddy is being produced from irrigated land and 66 per cent from non-irrigated land, she said the State Government has completely failed to create irrigation facility during its rule even as it had promised big in its each election manifesto from 2000 to 2014.
She also wanted to know why the State Government is not accepting that farmers are dying due to crop loss and loan burden.
Stating that pregnant women are often carried in cots, auto-rickshaws and slings and being forced to give births in the open air, Samantsinghar said the State Government’s claim of a rise in institutional birth is meaningless. Besides, children have not been included in the Supplementary Nutritio Programme.
She alleged that low quality Chhatua and take-home ration are being provided to people only because BJD leaders workers have been given those works on contack basis.
She dared Rout to give reply to all these questions.
Among others, BJP State secretary Dillip Mallick and Mahila Morcha vice-president Pinky Pradhan were present.