Odisha BJP Releases Manifesto For Panchayat Polls, Promises To End ‘PC’ Culture

Bhubaneswar: The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has promised to bring an end to the ‘PC’ (percentage) culture from the state, if its candidates are elected in the three-tier panchayat elections in the state.

This was stated in the BJP manifesto for the panchayat polls released by state president of the party Sameer Mohanty, here on Thursday.

Stating that ‘PC’ culture (the per cent of project costs given as bribe to government officials for approval) has become rampant under BJD rule, Mohanty said the BJP promises the manifesto that it will not allow corrupt officials to demand gratification from the beneficiaries under the PMAY and Swachh Bharat schemes.

The 22-point charter manifesto also stated that the sarpanchs will be empowered as per the law so that they can spend the funds for development of their panchayats in consultation with the Ward members.

The saffron party also promised to open paddy mandis under supervision of the sarpanchs in consultation with Food Corporation of India and dispense with the token system for the farmers to sell their produce. Besides, the monopoly of millers will be curtailed and the ‘Dalal Raj’ in the mandis brought to an end.

The BJP manifesto promised to create Men Self Help Group (MSHG) community in line with the Women Self Help Groups (WSHGs) to provide equal facilities to the unemployed men.

At the same time, the WSHGs will be further empowered to avail vocational training so that more women can benefit compared to the present five per cent, the manifesto stated.

The BJP manifesto has also given assurance on strengthening zilla parishads, ensuring that total Central funds reach the people affected by natural disasters, transparency in funds allocation for beneficiaries of Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana, stopping misuse of job cards issued under MGNREGS and closing the liquor shops in rural areas violating the guidelines.