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Bhubaneswar: Two days after chief minister Naveen Patnaik stressed on the 3T (Teamwork, Transparency and Technology) governance formula to finetune the functionaries of departments, Opposition BJP and Congress today hit out at the government alleging that it is running in ‘Tricks’ instead of Transparency and Technology.
“People have been sanctioned pucca house under Pradhanmantri Awas Yojana. But, the State has instructed them to mention ‘Biju Pucca Ghara Yojana’ in the plaque failing which the final settlement of bill will not be done. This government is functioning with tricks hijacking central schemes”, BJP general secretary of State unit Bhrugu Buxipatra told a media conference.
They (State government) have constructed 3 lakh houses in last three years, but showed a document of 10 lakh houses, he added.
The saffron leader also alleged the State has slashed the minimum support price (MSP) of the forest produce. “Why the small scale forest produces are being sold at a rate less than the MSP fixed by the Centre?, asked Buxipatra.
Similarly, the Congress also came down heavily on the BJD-led government in State for alleged gross misappropriation of central funds under MGNREGA.
“The State government should clarify on number of jobs provided to village labourers which was guaranteed under the MGNREGA scheme. The State should ensure 100 days jobs or provide them unemployment allowance”, OPCC spokesperson Sarat Rout said at a press meet here.
“Women have to walk miles to fetch drinking water from pits as 98 per cent people have no access to piped water. Enormous amount have been spent under MGNREGA for digging well and ponds in villages, but benefit of the scheme is far from reaching the people. Massive use of machines in MGNREGA works has become common affair while false billing of the works is rampant”, Rout pointed out.
He further alleged that Panchayati Raj system has been reduced to a lame department. “The State government has kept the entire system under the clutches of some mighty administrative officers and local BJD leaders. The constitutional power of the elected representatives has been curtailed. VLWs have become head of the gram Panchayats while BDOs empowered to look after the block. This department has turned into a most corrupt section of the government”, Rout added.
The BJD, however, rejected the charge leveled by the Opposition parties. “The Panchayatiraj system has been empowered as much as possible. As per the constitutional guidelines, the decision of lawmakers in Assembly is final”, BJD spokesman Pratap Deb said.
