Union Minister Giriraj Singh Slams Odisha Govt Over Sambalpur Violence, PMAY

Bhubaneswar: Union Minister Giriraj Singh on Sunday mounted a scathing attack on the BJD government in Odisha over several issues, including Sambalpur violence and alleged irregularities in allotment of houses under Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY)

Taking a dig at Naveen Patnaik government over violence in Sambalpur, the senior BJP leader termed the incidents in the western Odisha city Sambalpur city during Hanuman Mahotsav celebrations as unfortunate.

Accusing the BJD government of adopting politics of appeasement, the Union Minister, who was on a visit to Odisha, alleged that rioters are being protected in the state.

Emphasising that Indians believe in the concept of ‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam’, Singh sought to know as to why stones were thrown at the procession in Sambalpur.

Coming down heavily on the Odisha government over implementation of Central schemes, the Union Minister alleged that deserving beneficiaries are being denied benefits of PMAY and Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MNREGA) in the state.

The Panchayati Raj and Rural Development Minister also alleged that funds under the schemes are being embezzled.

Stating that only Rs 26,000 crore was provided to Odisha during the UPA rule for rural development and panchayatiraj, he said the BJP-led government has allocated more than Rs 1 lakh crore to the state for this.

While UPA government had sanctioned only 10 lakh houses to Odisha, the BJP government has allotted 28 lakh houses to the state under PMAY.

Similarly, Odisha reveived only Rs 6,700 crore under MNREGA during UPA rule, while BJP government has sanctioned Rs 27,000 crore to the state under the scheme, Singh said.

Despite enhanced flow of funds, deserving beneficiaries are being deprived of the benefits under PMAY and MGNRGEA, he alleged.

Claiming that around nine lakh houses are yet to be completed in Odisha, the Union Minister said new beneficiaries are not included in the scheme and funds are being embezzled in the state.

Dismissing the allegations made by Singh as baseless, senior BJD leader Amar Satpathy claimed that the Centre is not extending cooperation to the state government.

On Sambalpur violence, he said action will be taken against those found guilty.