Union Minister Shrikant Jena challenged Chief Minister Dr Raman Singh for open debate over the funds allocation to the State Government for carrying out developmental work. The Union Minister of State (Independent Charge), Chemicals & Fertilizers & Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation was talking with reporter here at party State headquarters Congress Bhawan on Friday.
Jena claimed that the ruling BJP Government is gluing their stickers on the scheme sponsored by the Union Government and are publicising them as schemes of State Government.
“The Chief Minister of Bihar and Odisha had rallied to give special status to Bihar and Odisha. Government of Chhattisgarh had also supported the rally. later, one the Governor had submitted a report to the Union Government according to which Odisha was on the top the tally of poverty the second place was shared by Chhattisgarh and Bihar. Jharkhand also lingered around second place in the report. The Governor has recommended the Union Government to give Chhattisgarh a special status,” Jena told reporters.
He further said Under MNREGA scheme, Central Government had issued 106 lakhs job cards for Chhattisgarh and Rs 5,326 crore were also given run the scheme. Similarly, under the rural livelihood mission total 21,359 Self Help Group (SHG) have been formed and 91,096 individual are also being supported by the Central Government. For running this scheme assistance of Rs 346 crore had been provided to Chhattisgarh Government.
The Minister further informed for extending irrigation facilities in hilly terrains in about 1.12 lakh hectares, the Union Government had granted Rs 105 crores. Over the paddy procurement issues he said, “subsidy of Rs 7,035 crore has been given by the Union Government for paddy procurement. Union Government’s share on every kilogram of rice is Rs 22 to 23 while share of the State Government is Rs 1 or 2 only after which also the Government over here claims paddy procurement as their scheme,” Jena claimed.