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Alleging massive irregularities and financial frauds in Odisha, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Sunday observed ‘Bhrastachar Diwas’ (Corruption Day) across the State on the occasion of Panchayati Raj Diwas.
As part of their state-wide stir against the alleged large-scale financial frauds, thousands of BJP workers in a unique way to attack the BJD government wore black ribbons/cloths around their necks and hands as a symbolic opposition and staged sit-ins in all 314 blocks across Odisha.
They raised their voice against the 'massive financial irregularities' and alleged that Odisha has become a breeding ground for corruption with irregularities to the tune of Rs 5,000 crore every year in the Panchayati Raj system.
Mounting a scathing attack on the Naveen-led BJD government, the BJP workers alleged Odisha is a hub for corruption and legislators and government officials are involved in corruption in Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY), MGNREGS, job card fraud, Ration Card and construction of toilets under Swachh Bharat Mission.
“While BJD is observing March 5 as Panchayati Raj Diwas, we with the people of Odisha observe it as the ‘Bhrastachar Diwas’. This is the voice of the people of Odisha and we seek answers and know who is behind the irregularities in Odisha,” said BJP leader Jagannath Pradhan.
The agitators also raised questions on the utilization of money allocated for panchayats by the Centre under the Central Finance Commission (CFC).
“Where is the money provided by the Centre for the development of panchayats and rural areas going? If you want a developed Odisha, you have to first work for the development of rural areas. Only the development of rural areas can help the development of urban areas and our state as a whole,” Pradhan added.
BJP leader Dilip Mohanty said, “Genuine and eligible beneficiaries have been deprived of houses under the PMAY scheme. If you collect data, you will know how BJD workers and leaders have cunningly grabbed houses. BJD has given houses to the rich and those who already have houses while the eligible beneficiaries have been neglected. Such frauds, who are involved in all kinds of corruption, do not have the right to celebrate Panchayati Raj Diwas.”
(Reported by Harihar Chand, OTV)
