Ram Kripal Yadav accuses BJD of 'looting public money'

Bhubaneswar: Union Minister of State for Rural Development Ram Kripal Yadav today sought clarification from Odisha government on the central assistance given for different welfare schemes and accused the ruling BJD of "looting" public money.

"Every gram panchayat gets a direct financial assistance of Rs 422 per head each year for carrying out developmental work.

The chief minister should clarify where the money has been spent," Yadav told a press conference.

Accusing the state government of failing to implement several centrally sponsored schemes in Odisha, Yadav also wanted to know the number of house units constructed under Indira Awas Yojana.

Alleging "gross irregularities" in the implementation of central schemes, Yadav claimed that though the state government was supposed to construct 2.96 lakh houses under IAY, only 21 per cent of the target had been achieved.

"The state government has been misleading the people on the number of houses built under Biju Pucca Ghar Yojana (BPGY).

The state should clarify how much money has been allocated for the BPGY and how many houses have been built so far," Yadav said.

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Either, the contractors are workers of BJD who are working as agents of the state government or there is a nexus between them.

The matter should be brought under the purview of investigation," Yadav said alleging that there were "gross irregularities" in implementation of central schemes.

Yadav, who is campaigning for BJP candidates for the panchayat elections, said that people of Odisha are in the mood for a change.

He also criticized the BJD government for not being able to spend MGNREGA funds in a "proper way".