PM Modi takes dig at Odisha govt

Bhubaneswar: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday criticised the Odisha Government for not implementing the Ayushman Bharat Yojana, the NDA government’s national health protection scheme, in the state.

He also took an indirect dig at the ruling BJD for the chit fund scam and percentage culture.

“People of Odisha are asking why the state has not accepted the Ayushman Bharat Yojana. If Odisha had implemented this scheme, people would have gotten free medical care across the country,” Mr Modi said while addressing a public gathering at the Gosala ground in Khurda, 30 km from state capital Bhubaneswar

While more than six lakh people of the nation have been benefited by the scheme, not a single person from Odisha is among the beneficiaries, he added. Modi also attacked the state Government over migration of youths to other states, malnutrition, vacant posts of doctors, irrigation problems and such other issues.

“Why the youths of Odisha are migrating to other states? Why the women and children in Odisha are suffering from malnutrition? Why large number of posts of doctors are lying vacant in Odisha? Why the farmers of Odisha are not getting good irrigation facilities and proper price for their agricultural produce?” he asked.

Coming down heavily on the state government, Mr Modi asked, “Why chit fund scam, PC (percentage commission) culture and corruption have grown powerful in Odisha? Who are nourishing these demons?”

Speaking about the growth of BJP in Odisha, the PM said the party was emerging as a major power in the state by raising issues related to the welfare of the people and development. He also highlighted the welfare measures undertaken by the BJP-led Central Government for Odisha.

“Around 35 lakh LPG connections have been given to women in Odisha. Four and a half years ago, only 20 per cent families of Odisha had LPG connection, which now stands at 70 per cent,” he said