‘Ama Odisha, Nabin Odisha’ not a scheme, was running on ‘Ram bharose’: Odisha Minister

The grant of Rs 50 lakh to each panchayat under the ‘Ama Odisha, Nabin Odisha’ scheme by the previous BJD government will be probed, said Panchayati Raj Minister Rabi Naik on Wednesday.

While talking to reporters, Naik alleged that ‘Ama Odisha, Nabin Odisha’ is not a scheme and it was running on ‘Ram bharose’ as work orders were being issued in the name of JEs.

“The department was not aware of who was executing the work and how much work was done. The department’s secretary had no information and the irregularities in the department will be probed,” said Naik.

The Minister further said that the scheme was monitored by DRDA and block and no accountability has been fixed. At present, the work has been stopped.

“The entire thing was monitored by the third floor. The work orders are in the name of JEs. The entire thing was being run on Ram bharose. Whatever irregularities are there in the department will be examined; and, it will be brought before the public,” said Naik.

It is pertinent to mention here that the BJP was opposing the 'Ama Odisha, Nabin Odisha' scheme of the previous BJD government launched in October 2023.

The scheme was in controversy as the suggestions of elected representatives were not considered for the projects in the panchayats, its funds allocation and its utilisation. The work orders were allegedly issued in the name of JEs, the list was being prepared by the BDOs and sent to district Collectors. The officers were preparing the lists for spending Rs 50 lakh for projects in panchayats.

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