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Bhubaneswar: Opposition parties on Saturday trained guns at Chief Minister Naveen Patniak alleging that the Odisha government is so keen to garner praise that even without examining the authenticity of news, the official handle of CM Naveen Patnaik tweeted a fake report.
Recently, the Chief Minister's Office (CMO) tweeted a dubious report based on a purported Oxford University study that lauded the measures taken by the Ganjam district administration to tackle COVID-19.
"Ganjam earned praise from @UniofOxford for its successful model of #COVID19 infection prevention. The district excelled in #CovidManagement by empowering sarpanchs, forming committees in villages for intensive screening and by ensuring proper healthcare," the CMO tweeted.
The official handle of the district magistrate of Ganjam also tweeted, “Ganjam Model of COVID Management got recognized by @UniofOxford for successful infection prevention strategies. Our gratitude and appreciation to Team Ganjam.”
However, when questions were raised over the authenticity of the study, the CMO deleted the tweet.
Both the BJP and the Congress took a dig at the ruling-BJD and alleged that the government, which had been warning people neither to believe nor spread fake news during this pandemic, is itself spreading lies for vested interests.
"The ruling-BJD's attempt to garner praise through false news has been exposed. Instead of spreading lies and blowing its own trumpet, the State government should work towards effective management of COVID-19 in the State," said Prithviraj Harichandan, general secretary of the BJP.
Congress MLA Sura Routray lashed out at the State government and said, "It's all bogus publicity of the State government. Such cheap publicity stunts by the government should stop."
"The Odisha government is engaged in spreading fake news to win votes and get awards. Both the State government and people will be benefitted if the real issues are addressed," said social activist, Pradeep Pradhan.
