Bhubaneswar: The ruling BJD Monday alleged that Odisha Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) Surendra Kumar under the pressure of BJP was preventing the benefit of KALIA scheme, launched by the state government, from reaching the farmers.
BJD spokesperson Sasmit Patra told newsmen here that the CEO citing the model code of conduct (MCC) was not allowing the disbursement of funds under the KALIA scheme to the farmers in the state whereas he has not imposed any such restriction on the transfer of funds under the PM Kisan Yojana. The BJD, he said, will soon lodge a complaint with the Chief Election Commission against the CEO.
Describing the action of the CEO as unfortunate, Patra said the CEO has allowed the benefits of PM-KISAN Yojana to reach the farmers but opposed the benefit of the state government funded KALIA scheme to reach the farmers.
The BJD leader further said the KALIA scheme has been launched long before the announcement of election and the MCC should not be applied to it.
“This shows anti-farmer stance of BJP. At least on this issue there shouldn’t be any cheap politics. The way BJP has stopped to such a low and has hampered the benefits and interests of lakhs of farmers, election and politics reign high for BJP while it is anti-farmer. Hence, the people will never forgive and specially the families of lakhs of farmers of Odisha,” he added.
Patra said the party would soon take up the issue with the CEC and would request the Election Commission of India (ECI) to allow the benefits of the KALIA scheme reach the farmers.
The BJP, on the other hand alleged that the BJD was making the false allegation apprehending its defeat in the election and trying to find an escape route. “As they (BJD) have despaired and know defeat is imminent, they are levelling such charges against CEO to get a way out,” said senior BJP leader Pratap Sarangi.