Pradhan targets BJD govt over ‘KALIA Chhatra Bruti’

Bhubaneswar/Boudh: Criticising the Naveen Patnaik-led BJD government in Odisha, Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan on Sunday said that the State government is trying to fool the students and their families belonging to OBC (Other Backward Class ) and farmer class by announcing the 'KALIA Chhatra Bruti’.

He alleged that, that the Odisha government has no intention to help the unprivileged families in the state but is rather trying to hoodwink the people to get votes during the election.

"KALIA scholarship scheme is an attempt of the Naveen government to build false hopes and aspirations among the students," the union minister said during a party programme at Kantamal in Boudh.

Pradhan further added that despite being at the helm of affairs in Odisha for last 19 years, the Naveen-led government has done injustice by not announcing reservation for students of OBC in jobs and education sector even though the Centre has made provisions for the same.

Responding to Pradhan’s allegations, State Finance Minister Sashi Bhusan Behera said that it has been the common tendency of the union minister to bring allegations on any scheme that has been implemented by the state government for the benefit of the people of Odisha.

"I don't want to comment on this" said Behera.