Opposition Targets Odisha Govt Over COVID-19 'Mismanagement'

Bhubaneswar: The opposition parties on Wednesday came down heavily on the Odisha government alleging that the ruling-BJD has completely failed in managing the COVID-19 pandemic in the State.

Taking a jibe at the State government for closing down COVID Care Centres and Temporary Medical Centres in the State, Congress MLA Tara Prasad Bahinipati said, "Odisha government should also shut down all the district hospitals. At a time when the positive cases are on the rise, they (government) are closing down everything one after another."

He further said that the government was not running the COVID centres by paying from its own pocket, rather it was people's money.

BJP MLA Pradipta Naik slammed the government for allegedly barring people from other districts to come to Cuttack and Bhubaneswar for treatment. He said, "No one has the rights to stop someone from availing treatment in Cuttack and Bhubaneswar. The government needs to be aware of it and make proper arrangments."

Speaking on the same, Odisha chief secretary Asit Tripathy clarified that the COVID-19 patients have not been banned from visiting the twin city for treatment.

All arrangements have been made in Cuttack-Bhubaneswar for all infected people from across the State. They have only been told to be extra cautious and come with oxygen support as problems had occurred in the past due to callousness, said Tripathy.

Chief Secretary Sri Asit Tripathy has said that State Govt has not banned any movement of patients to Cuttack and Bhubaneswar. Government has created advanced #COVID19 hospital facilities in the twin City for people of the entire State. #OdishaCares pic.twitter.com/cNC5ln9aBf

— I & PR Department, Odisha (@IPR_Odisha) September 16, 2020