BJD criticises govt over ‘unfulfilled' promises; BJP hits back

Bhubaneswar: BJD on Saturday labelled the 'double-engine' BJP govt's performance as 'double betrayal', a day after Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed a pubic gathering in the city and launched Odisha Vision Document 2036 and 2047.
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Former minister Sanjay Kumar Das Burma criticised the BJP's unfulfilled promise regarding the Puri Ratna Bhandar's missing key and claimed the temple's visitor management system was in disarray. He said the state faced significant financial setbacks, with central grants declining by 18.19% in the 2024-25 fiscal.
Former minister Snehangini Chhuria raised concerns about deteriorating law and order situation.
"Govt data reveals that an average of 15 women are raped daily in Odisha, with rape cases increasing by around 8%. The state now ranks eighth in crime rates nationally, with BJP-ruled states occupying eight of the top-10 positions," she added.
Chhuria also criticised the Subhadra Yojana, which initially promised Rs 50,000 to every woman but now distributes only Rs 10,000 annually in two instalments. She dismissed the BJP's claim of creating 'Lakhpati Didis' with Rs 10,000 per year as unrealistic and highlighted the dismantling of tribal welfare programmes.
Senior general secretary Bhrugu Baxipatra questioned the authenticity of the situation presented to the PM, noting that while Modi spoke of making Odisha a development hub, the state continues to battle cholera outbreaks. "Govt's celebration and health minister's viral video dancing while diarrhoea cases surge has added insult to injury for affected people," he alleged. He also criticised the vision document's modest 9% GDP target.
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BJP spokesperson Anil Biswal said cholera was detected several times under the BJD govt. "In Dec 2023, cholera was detected in Sundargarh district's Rourkela, claiming six lives. Cholera was also detected in July 2022 in Rayagada district. It claimed eight lives. Diarrhoea cases were reported from different districts every year during the BJD govt. But our govt has taken the issue seriously and controlled it. The health minister visited the areas and the CM reviewed the situation," he added.
He said the opposition is protesting for the sake of protest. "People are witnessing the development initiatives of the BJP govt," he added.

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