Odisha failed to utilise allocated fund: Union minister

Union Minister for Rural Development Ram Kripal Yadav on Saturday criticised the Odisha government for failing to utilise the fund allocated under various centrally-sponsored schemes.

After holding a review meeting here, he said the state government has failed to meet the deadlines of various projects under Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PAY), the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana and Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA).

"The government is misleading the people of the state. It has failed to meet the targets even though it has sufficient funds. As many as 70,000 houses are yet to be completed under Indira Awas Yojana scheme in Odisha," said Yadav.

While in other states the third phase work under Indira Awas Yojana has begun, Odisha is yet to complete first phase target, he added.

He said the government has constructed only 1.81 lakh houses under Biju Awas Yojna and the rest houses are built from the funding of the central government.

Refuting the allegations, the ruling Biju Janata Dal spokesperson Surya Narayan Patro said the central government is trying to defame the state government.

"The Union ministers do not have any other options except playing the old records whenever they visit the state. He (Yadav) is only attempting to defame the state government," Patra said.

--IANS

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