Centre to probe into irregularities in Central schemes in Odisha: Union minister Anurag Thakur

By Sukant Mohanty

Bhubaneswar, Oct. 3: Union Information and broadcasting minister Anurag Thakur on Tuesday declared that the Centre would conduct a probe into the alleged corruption in Central government schemes being implemented in Odisha.

Thakur is on a two-day visit to Odisha to take part in various programmes in the state along with Union education minister Dharmendra Pradhan.

Addressing a press meet here at the BJP state headquarters, Thakur said that Odisha received more funds during the tenure of National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government at the Centre than United Progressive Alliance (UPA). Moreover, he harped upon the proper use of the funds in the state.

The Union minister further stated that a probe into corruption in various Central schemes will be initiated in Odisha as done in West Bengal, where action was taken against corruption in Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana.

Stating that Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s popularity has increased by 78 per cent, Thakur said the BJP would fight the 2024 election on its own strength.

“PM Modi is true to his own words and he believes in action. The Modi government has no discrimination. The mantra of the Modi government is ‘Sabka Sath, Sabka Vikash. Odisha has received more funds during the tenure of NDA than UPA. However, these funds under different schemes are to be used and implemented properly,” he observed.

He urged the Odisha government to ensure a speedy implementation of the ‘Jal Jeevan Mission’ to bring a change in the lives of women in the state.

“Central schemes of the Modi government are always in the interest of the poor people, especially women, of the country. I urge the Odisha government to ensure speedy implementation of the ‘Jal Jeevan Mission’ to bring a change in the lives of women in the State,” said Thakur.

On Odisha chief minister Naveen Patnaik’s recent observation that the Opposition in the state was ‘anti-development’ and ‘anti-people,’ Thakur said, “We cannot say anything if anyone says something. However, we know that all BJP workers and leaders are dedicated to serving the people of the country. The country has witnessed a massive change in terms of development in the last nine years… Modi ji never dubs anyone as anti-people or anti-India. One can be anti-government, but no one can be anti-people,” he added.

In fact, the BJP is the principal opposition party in Odisha, followed by the Congress.