BJD Govt Did Not Support IOCL Projects For Odisha, Says Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan

Bhubaneswar: The Central government’s “Purvodaya Mission” (look east mission) would ensure rapid industrial development of Paradip in Odisha’s Jagatsinghpur district, said Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan on Monday.

Addressing a BJP workers’ meet in the port town, the Minister said Paradip would emerge as a rising star in industrial map under the double engine government. “Purvodaya is a far-sighted plan of Prime Minister Narendra Modi for ensure rapid development of eastern India, particularly Odisha. Paradip is the focal point in this scheme. Without its development, the progress of Odisha and India at large cannot be thought of,” he added.

Stating that investment of Indian Oil in setting up the oil refinery in Paradip was a major initiative of former prime minister Atal Behari Vajpayee, who laid its foundation, Pradhan said Prime Minister Modi inaugurated it while he played a minor role in this regard. The government has invested Rs 65,000 crore for development of the port town, he added.

Coming down heavily on the previous BJD government in the state, the Union Minister it posed road blocks for growth of Paradip for its vested political interests. “Recently, the newly appointed IOCL Chairman met me and said that the proposals for various projects given by me did not get any support from the previous government in Odisha. IOCL Chairman will come to Odisha tomorrow to meet chief minister Mohan Charan Majhi and there will be remarkable development now,” he added.

Claiming that the present government in the state was working for poor, women, youths, farmers, tribals and backward class people, he called upon the party workers to extend their helping hands in reaching the welfare schemes to true beneficiaries.

“Now the government schemes are not meant for the benefit of the ruling party leaders and workers. We have to ensure that the benefits percolate down to the people who are need of it,” he said.