The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has been accusing the ruling Biju Janata Dal (BJD) in Odisha of hijacking central schemes and programmes. In the latest, it has been alleged that the poor beneficiaries are receiving Rs 1000 not from the state government but from the central government.
The Odisha government has been distributing two jute bags and Rs 1000 livelihood assistance to beneficiaries. Today, some beneficiaries received this money at Loisingha in Bolangir district. Along with the money, a receipt was also being given to the beneficiaries.
The mention of ‘Pradhanmantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana’ on the top of the receipt kicked off a furore in Loisingha. As the receipt went viral, people started asking which government was providing the livelihood assistance money.
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“Today I received Rs 1000 from the Panchayat office. I was also given a receipt where ‘Pradhanmantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana’ was written,” said Kunti Rout, a beneficiary in Loisingha.
The same situation unfolded at VSS Nagar in Bhubaneswar. Here, the receipts being given to beneficiaries had the mention of the Government of Odisha.
Over this, BJP’s Rasulgarh Mandal leader Jyotsna confronted the representative of BJD corporator, reiterating that the money is being provided by the Central government.
“The money is coming from the Central government. When I raised the issue, the local corpoartor along with his supporters reached the spot. They claimed the money is being given by the Naveen Patnaik government,” said Jyotsna.
When asked, a staff of the Supply Department said the money is being given by the state government.
At the same time, the beneficiaries expressed their anger for making them stand in the sun to receive ration, jute bags and money on different days.
“I have a problem in my waist and leg. Despite physical problems, I once came to receive bags and now I have come to receive money. Look, how we are made to stand in the sun,” rued a beneficiary.