BJP sees red in govt’s ‘NUA Odisha’ scheme targeting youths; demands white paper on employment

After women, the ruling Biju Janata Dal (BJD) in Odisha seems to be now eyeing the youth voters. Such speculation is rife after the Odisha Cabinet approved the Nutana Unnata Abhilasha (NUA) Odisha scheme with an outlay of Rs 385 crores.

The scheme aims to skill one lakh youth every year in the state during the next three years. It seems that the BJD is aiming to sail through the crucial 2024 elections with its 3-fold strategy targeting women, youths and farmers. The state government has now brought in a new scheme to capture youth support.

Though the state government had recently announced the ‘Ama Odisha, Naveen Odisha’ Yojana under which sports equipment were to be provided to each village, many believe that it has now unveiled the Nutana Unnata Abhilasha (NUA) Odisha scheme suspecting the workability and efficiency of the previous one.

It is pertinent to mention here that the Odisha government had brought in the Biju Yuva Vahini scheme ahead of the 2019 polls. So, is the new scheme launched to empower the youth by providing necessary skilling, re-skilling and up-skilling opportunities or it is just a means to capture the youth vote bank?

It is also being said that it is a counter strategy as most of the young generation are leaning towards Narendra Modi and through the scheme, an attempt is being made to sway the tide towards Naveen Patnaik.

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) alleged that the Odisha government is implementing schemes after schemes. But the state government should first release a white paper on how many people have got employment in the state.

BJP MLA, Mukesh Mahaling said, “How many people have got employment in the state, the government should release a white paper. The new 3-year scheme is just a political stunt keeping in mind the upcoming elections.”

Responding to the allegations, BJD MLA Dhruba Sahoo said, “Several youths are working in various countries after getting training. It is a new attempt to encourage the youths and the allegations of the Opposition will not have any impact.”