Naveen sore over central neglect, vows fulfillment of election promises

The Odisha CM said a Vision Document called 'Odisha at 100' would be unveiled in 2016, aiming at all round development of the state across sectors

Chief minister and Biju Janata Dal (BJD) supremo Naveen Patnaik took swipe at the central government yet again for neglecting Odisha's concerns especially at the time of distress faced by the state in the event of natural calamities.

"Starting from natural calamities to every field, the Centre has neglected Odisha's genuine problems. Our fight against the Centre will continue against this gross neglect," Patnaik said, addressing a huge congregation on the occasion of the BJD's Foundation Day celebration.

He said the farmers in the state had suffered heavy losses due to the recent drought and his government stood by them in this hour of crisis.

"A drought package has been declared for the calamity stricken farmers. This apart, a Rs 10,000 crore loan package has been announced for the Rabi season. We have reduced interest rate to one per cent and this is a historic step in the agriculture sector. Unlike the Opposition which is bent on shedding crocodile tears, we believe in keeping to our commitments", Patnaik said.

"The BJD led government has earned accolades as a transparent government. Hence, our focus will be to ensure that the developmental schemes percolate to the actual beneficiaries. This needs that the party workers to stay alert", he added.

The BJD chieftain said his government was working diligently to fulfill all pre-poll promises.

"Be it the Biju Pucca Ghar Yojana, employment scheme or Biju Expressway scheme, I am personally reviewing the progress of these schemes. Till now, we have built more than 700,000 pucca houses. We will certainly fulfill our targets by 2019. Likewise, we are going to achieve stability in electricity sector in 2016-17", said he.

The chief minister said a Vision Document called 'Odisha at 100' would be unveiled in 2016, aiming at all round development of the state across sectors. The Vision Document to commemorate 100 years of formation of Oidsha as a linguistic state, would envision Odisha as an advanced and empowered state.

In 2016, the BJD would also observe the birth centenary of Patnaik's illustrious father and former chief minister Biju Patnaik.