Odisha Govt Fails To Utilise Over Rs 3K Cr Central Fund Under Har Ghar Jal: Union Minister

Union Minister of State, Jal Shakti and Tribal Affairs, Bishweswar Tudu on Monday lashed out at Odisha government for failing to utilize the central funds in a proper manner for the welfare of people in Odisha. Tudu also alleged that the State government is however busy in rebranding the central schemes as its own.

Odisha has received Rs 3023 crore under the Har Ghar Jal scheme this year which is three times more than the previous budgetary allotment. However, the State government has failed to make use of the funds and submit utilization certificates (UC), Union Minister Tudu said while addressing a gathering of party's state unit leaders and members on Monday.

Senior BJP leaders including the party's State unit president Samir Mohanty accorded a hearty felicitation to the Union Minister during a function at the State BJP headquarters. Tudu, the member of the parliament from Mayurbhanj Lok Sabha constituency and National Secretary of BJP is on Odisha visit to attend party's Jan Ashirwad Yatra.

"A few days after the reshuffle in the Union Cabinet, Rs 3023 crore was released to Odisha under the Har Ghar Jal Yojana but unfortunately the State government is unable to use the funds to reap maximum benefits. Not only that, in many other initiatives, where the Union Government is releasing budgetary allocation, the State government is branding them as its own," said Tudu.

The Union Minister further said that developmental works are undergoing in Odisha at a snail's pace. The benefits of the welfare schemes are not reaching the last mile especially the tribal and other communities residing in the State.

On the other hand, Odisha government or the ruling BJD has not responded to the allegations of the Union Minister.