BJD lists achievements as Naveen completes year in office

The Biju Janata Dal government in Odisha on Thursday completed one year of its fourth consecutive term in office, triggering another round of claims and counter-claims on its achievements.

While the opposition Congress alleged that the state government has "failed on all fronts" and the Bharatiya Janata Party too criticised Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, the ruling party claimed that the government was delivering on its promises.

Odisha Pradesh Congress president Prasad Harichandan said the government has failed on all fronts. "The state government has succeeded only on two fronts: Managing the BJP and silencing the CBI. As a result, the inquiry into the chit fund scam in the state has slowed down," said Harichandan.

He alleged that several ruling party leaders were involved in the multi-crore chit fund scam now being investigated by the CBI.

The central agency has already arrested several leaders, including BJD MP Ramchandra Hansdah and BJD leggislator Pravat Tripahty. The agency has also in its chit fund scam probe reached the doorsteps of Naveen Nivas, the residence of the chief minister, quizzing Naveen Patnaik's man Friday Saroj Sahu, said the Congress leader.

Senior BJP leader Bijay Mohapatra dubbed the one-year period as "indictment" of the Naveen government. "The chief minister has failed to govern the state, leading to multi-organ failure in the administration. He has insulated himself from the government, allowing a few bureaucrats to call the shots," said Mohapatra.

The BJP leader also alleged that the state government launched several populist schemes with an eye to vote bank politics, which would not result in sustainable development.

The BJD leaders rubbished the allegations, asserting that the party continued to be a darling of the masses due to development works being undertaken in the state.

"The government is delivering on its promises and addressing the problems of the people. The popularity of Naveen Patnaik is still intact, even though he is governing the state for the last 15 years," said BJD spokesperson Sameer Das.

He alleged that the opposition parties were making "wild allegations" without any basis.

The state government launched several schemes in the last one year, including the Rs.5-a-meal 'Aahar' scheme for the urban poor and free medicine scheme 'Niramaya', Das said.

He added that the quota for the Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes students in higher educational institutions has been increased from 20 percent to 38 percent.