Cuttack: Holding the Odisha government responsible for issues pertaining to Mahanadi river water, Prime Minister Narendra Modi today said that the ruling party in the State is only misleading people.
Addressing a rally at the Bali Jatra ground in Cuttack on completion of four years in power at the Centre, Modi said, “The State government is not carrying out its responsibilities properly. In the State Assembly, the State government has accepted that 50% of Mahanadi water drains into sea. The Centre tried to resolve the issue, but the Odisha government did not cooperate.”
Apart from Mahanadi, five other rivers flow through the State. The State government has failed to utilise their water as well, said Modi.
Further targeting the State government, Modi said that the people of Odisha want to know why the Lower Indravati irrigation project, which started 20 years ago, was delayed for so long.
"Why the State government has delayed various irrigation projects and pushed up the project costs by 4 to 5 times? Why the farmers of Odisha have been left in the lurch? However, the Central government has taken the responsibility of bringing a change for farmers and ensuring water reaches their farmland," Modi said.
Among 99 projects of the country which have been delayed for quite a long time 8 are from Odisha. The centre is spending more than Rs 80,000 crore to complete these projects, Modi mentioned.
Pulling up the State government on deteriorating healthcare infrastructure in the Eastern parts of the country including Odisha, Modi said, “Situation in these States especially Odisha is very grim. Questions are being raised as to what work the State governments have done so far. There are no days when one doesn't come across embarrassing pictures on media from the Tribal areas of Odisha.”
He further pointed out, “As the Odisha government is not carrying out its responsibilities properly, the Centre has taken the onus to improve healthcare. Under the Ayushman Bharat Yojana, wellness centres have been set up in villages so that people won’t have to travel long distances.”
For critical care, AIIMS has been set up in Bhubaneswar. Besides Cuttack, Berhampur and Burla medical colleges are being upgraded, Modi added.
“Not only these institutions will be medical centres, but also medical education will be provided which will generate jobs. New seats will be added to produce more doctors and nurses,” he added.
Apart from this, institutions of national repute are being established to develop professional education. IIM in Sambalpur and Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER) in Berhampur will open up more opportunities for youths, Modi stated.
Earlier, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had arrived in Odisha in a special aircraft in the afternoon today. He later addressed a public meeting in Cuttack where thousands of people had gathered for the event.
Since early morning, people from different parts of the State had started to throng the venue and excitement was written large of their faces as they got an opportunity to see the Prime Minister highlighting the achievements of his government.