Odisha govt 'spending on posts, but not on projects'

Bhubaneswar: With the appointment of 36 advisors including 11 new ones in different corporations & programmes of Odisha government, questions are now being raised at the motive behind such a step.

Citing that Odisha government has money for posts but not for developmental projects, Opposition parties have alleged that the appointment of new advisors is a step by Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik to rehabilitate disgruntled leaders and suppress brewing resentment within the party.

“They are misusing tax payers' money to create new posts and are only increasing State's loan burden. Naveen babu is scared that some of his party members may revolt and quit the party which is why he has taken such a step,” said Congress leader and Jeypore MLA Tara Prasad Bahinipati.

Taking a dig at CM Naveen, BJP General Secretary Prithviraj Harichandan, said, “The decision to appoint advisors is unfortunate. This is an attempt to rehabilitate the unhappy members of the party which will only increase State’s financial burden.”

In response to the allegations, State Planning and Convergence Minister, Padmanabha Behera, brushed aside the allegations of discontent among party members and said, “There is no resentment in the party. The appointments were made only to improve functioning of various departments and corporations.”

However, heavyweights, who bit the dust in the general elections earlier this year, have not been given any important posts. This has fuelled speculations that new posts could be created for appointment these leaders. However, nothing has been confirmed yet.

“CM will take the final decision on appointment of party leaders. Allotment of government posts to all may not happen as some of them are interested in party work,” said Rural Development Minister, Sushant Singh.

Odisha Chief Minister on Friday appointed BJD leaders in various posts of different state-run public sector undertakings and government programmes.

Srimayee Mishra of Bolangir will be the chief of Odisha Tourism Development Corporation while Sulata Deo has been appointed as the advisor of Women and Child Development Department.

Senior BJD leader Pushpendra Singh Deo, who lost the elections in the Kalahandi Lok Sabha seat, has been nominated as a member of the Western Odisha Development Council while former Rajya Sabha MP Dilip Tirkey will be new head of Odisha Hockey Promotion Council.

Former MLA Akash Das Nayak will be new chairperson of the "Mo College Programme."