Odisha to continue schemes stopped by NDA Govt: Patnaik

Says Centre has stopped providing assistance to several ongoing central sponsored schemes

Annoyed over stoppage of some schemes and slashing of funds in others by the Centre, Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik today said his government would continue such programmes from state's own resources.

"We will not allow these programmes to be stopped and will continue with the state resources," Patnaik said while addressing the ruling BJD's 'Jansampark Padyatra'.

Patnaik launched the party's 12-days padyatra programme at Ganganagarpalli in the city here.

The programme will continue from Gandhi Jayanti till Jayprakash Jayanti on October 11. During the padyatra, BJD leaders would go to nook and corner of the state and highlight state government's achievements and alleged negligence towards Odisha by the NDA government at the Centre.

During the padyatra, BJD leaders would apprise the people how the state government had been implementing promises being made during the elections, Patnaik said.

Stating that state government has taken steps for overall development of the backward districts, Patnaik said, the Centre has stopped providing assistance to several ongoing central sponsored schemes. "BJD is committed to protect the interest of Odisha," he said.

Coinciding with BJD's Padyatra, opposition BJP also staged 'Satyagrah' across 147 assembly constituencies spread across the State.

BJP's State unit President K V Singhdeo, who participated in the satyagraha at the party headquarters here, said, "The party is highlighting the success of the central government and the failure of the BJD government in Odisha.