Naveen's address continues to be laced with centre's neglect issue

Rayagada/Gajapati: Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Sunday lashed out at the BJP-led Central Government for neglecting the people of Odisha while providing assistance for the damage caused by the severe cyclonic storm 'Titli' in October last year.

Addressing poll meeting in Gunupur, Naveen alleged that the Centre was unfair in providing Cyclone Titli assistance to the State. He also stated that Centre also did not assisted in AAHAR Yojana while the top leaders of the saffron party are now vising the State as election is round the corner.

"While Odisha spent Rs 20,000 crore towards irrigation, the Centre has sanctioned only Rs 250 crore. Though there was large scale devastation during Cyclone Titli, the Centre released assistance to Andhra Pradesh first and the people of Odisha got the aid very late," said Naveen.

"We launched Aahar Yojana for the poor but the Central Government denied us assistance for the scheme for which the State Government had to continue it with its own resources," added Naveen.

After Rayagada, the CM is also scheduled to visit Gajapti district as part of his election campaign ahead of the elections.