Dharmendra Faults Odisha Govt On Distribution Of Central Relief For COVID-19

Bhubaneswar: Accusing the Odisha government of “failing” to manage the COVID-19 situation in the state, Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan has alleged that the state government could not provide relief to distressed people even though the Centre has extended its support for the purpose.

“Though the Centre has provided over Rs 708 crore for Jagatsinghpur district, the state government could not extend relief to the distressed people. The BJD leaders are insensitive to people’s plight during the COVID-19 pandemic,” Pradhan said on Friday.

He was addressing a campaign rally ahead of the November 3 by-elections to the Tirtol and Balasore Sadar Assembly segments in Odisha.

The senior BJP leader also alleged that the “mismanagement was visible” across the state during the COVID-19 crisis, NDTV reported.

He also criticised the ruling BJD over the “defunct transformer” jibe at late Balasore Sadar MLA Madan Mohan Dutta. “The ruling party leaders are arrogant and ignoring people’s concern. Instead of respecting a deceased person, the BJD leaders have dishonoured him,” he said.

Pradhan also alleged that the Odisha government failed to provide jobs to youth, for which many people have migrated to other states.