Taking potshots again at the Naveen Patnaik Government for its Rs5-a-meal scheme, Utkal Bharat president Kharabela Swain on Tuesday said the Chief Minister can’t forcibly make Odia people as “Chhatrakhias” or vagabonds.
“Naveen Patnaik introduced the Rs5-a-meal (rice and dalma) in lines with other States to come to power. But how long people of Odisha will depend on such free kitchen service to improve their living status,” Swain wanted to know while expressing unhappiness the Government’s proposal to lessen the cost further as people aren’t taking the cooked foods.
He said Urban Development Secretary G Mathivathanan has informed the district Collectors that the Government is considering to lessen the cost of meal further as people in small towns are not taking such foods and huge quantities are being wasted.
He took a dig at the BJP for claiming that the Modi Government is providing subsidy of Rs27 per kg of rice. The BJP also is also making Odias lethargic, he said.
“Development of a State is not done this way. Hard work, sincerity can only lift a class or society to higher level. With negative mindsets, both the BJD and the BJP cannot make Odisha a prosperous State. The Utkal Bharat will show the path of sincerity, perseverance and industriousness for all-round development of the State,” said Swain.