BJD spent over Rs 1200 crore for distribution of jute bags and livelihood assistance before General Elections 2024

The Naveen Patnaik-led BJD government spent a whopping Rs 1206 crore for jute bags and livelihood assistance to each family under the Public Distribution System (PDS) before the General Elections 2024, informed Food Supplies & Consumer Welfare Minister Krushna Chandra Patra in Odisha Assembly on Wednesday.

Replying to a question in the House. Patra said, "The then BJD government spent Rs 247.36 crore for around 2 crore jute shopping bags for distribution to around 96L odd PDS beneficiaries."

Apart from two jute bags to every PDS family, the government also provided Rs 1,000 to each family, putting an additional Rs 959.5 crore burden on the state government’s exchequer, Patra revealed in the House.

During the election, BJD claimed it was a step to wean people away from hazardous plastic bags. However, the Opposition slammed the government and termed it as a vote-winning trick.

Despite all the expenditures, BJD lost the elections paving the way for the BJP to form a government for the first time since Independence.

The Naveen Patnaik government has also been accused of spending more money in its advertisement and other welfare schemes.

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