Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan visited Nabarangpur town on Monday to participate in a BJP programme. Addressing a gathering, he said in the 19 years of the BJD Government, increasing numbers of poor people of Odisha have been migrating to other States in search of livelihoods. There is also a rise in unemployment and corruption in the State.
Slamming Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik for “failing” to improve irrigation and healthcare facilities in Nabarangpur district, Pradhan said that farmers are forced to sell paddy in distress at less than the MSP of Rs 1,750 per quintal. Several doctors’ posts are lying vacant. The district’s only industry Manglam Timbers is closed leaving several people jobless, The State Government is not taking any step to reopen the industry.
People of Nabarangpur district demand answers from the BJD Government over these issues, he added. Among others, BJP district president Govind Jain and former MP Parshuram Majhi were present.