BJD takes to the streets against deduction in drought assistance to Odisha

Odisha Sun Times Bureau
Bhubaneswar, May 16: 

BJD leaders today held a demonstration near Raj Bhavan in Odisha capital to protest against deduction of Rs 214.48 crore from approved drought assistance of Rs 815 crore to the state.

BJD leaders meet governor

Party leaders met Odisha Governor SC Jamir over the issue and submitted a memorandum to the President of India through him seeking early grant of central assistance for drought management in the state.

“More than 29,000 villages across 27 districts have been affected in this drought. The State Government had requested for a drought assistance of Rs 2344 crore. Center even sent its team for ground inspection following which it announced an aid of Rs 815 crore. Unfortunately, they issued only Rs 600.52 crore and deducted Rs 214 crore. This is unfortunate. The Center uses different approaches for different states,” accused Bhubaneswar North MLA Priyadarshi Mishra.

Similar sentiments were echoed by other leaders of the party as well.

“BJP leaders keep saying that the state is getting more money than ever as central assistance. This is a hoax. In the last year itself, we had demanded over 28,000 crore to meet various needs including pressing expenses such as handling drought situation and cyclone situations. All we have received so far is Rs 2,500 crore. This is not even 10 percent of what the state needs. We are going to take this issue to the people,” said Convenor of BJD Farmers’ Cell Sushant Singh.

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