Opposition grills Naveen-govt over job crisis in Odisha

Bhubaneswar: The Opposition parties- BJP & Congress today grilled the State government over the latter's failure to address the rising unemployment issue in Odisha.

Leader of Opposition & senior BJP MLA Pradipta Naik presented a report in the assembly claiming that in 2007-08, Odisha had 1.14 crore migrant labourers, out of which around 10 lakh are staying outside Odisha to meet the family needs. Odisha government had signed an MoU with Tata Trust to create employment opportunities in 30 adopted districts, but nothing has been implemented yet, Naik said.

Naik further revealed that as many as 35,04,000 youths have registered their names at the employment exchange offices, but only 1.3 per cent of the total (45,783) have been employed so far.

Over the last 17 years, the situation in Bhadrak, Ganjam and Boudh districts has worsened with employment rate recording a major dip, he added.

"Though there are more than 1.35 lakh vacant government posts, no steps are being taken to fill the vacancies. Despite having so many industries, there's no opportunity for locals. Eventually, people are forced to go outside Odisha for work, and return either dead or tortured vigorously. To avoid such mishappenings, government should take necessary steps to overcome the unemployment crisis," said the LoP.

Targeting Odisha CM, senior Congress MLA Tara Bahinipati said, "In 20 years of Naveen-rule, job opportunity has gone decreasing. There is no employment for educated youths in Odisha. Around 16000 posts are vacant in police department. There are no doctors in hospitals; schools are functioning without sanctioned strength of teachers. There is less opportunity for Odisha youths in IT sector here. The situation of migrant labourers has grown worse over the years."

Naveen Patnaik, despite being a CM for 5 consecutive terms, is not aware that Odisha has no job for youths, alleged Bahinipati.

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Congress legislature party leader Narasingha Mishra said, "Around 85 lakh people in Odisha are unemployed. There are 5.83 lakh sanctioned posts in various departments, however, the government seems least bothered to fill 1.31 lakh vacant posts.

Ruling BJD is yet to respond to the allegations.