CM to skip
Centre’s programme
at Baripada
Bhubaneswar: The political atmosphere in the state is heatimg up as Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik all set to address mega events on the same day (Saturday). All eyes are on them and what they will say – precisely speaking, how they attach each other and what sops they offer.
Modi will inaugurate and lay foundation stone of several projects worth around Rs 5,399 crore during a special function at the Police High School ground in Baripada, while Naveen will announce a bouquet of benefits to the women self help groups (SHGs) formed under the state government’s Mission Shakti programme.
The Prime Minister will dedicate the Balasore-Haldia section of Paradip-Haldia-Durgapur LPG Pipeline of the Indian Oil Corporation Ltd and flag off the second passenger train between Tatanagar and Badampahar. It may be noted that the Tatanagar-Badampahar railway line was laid in 1911, but only one passenger train has been running on this route since then. Besides, Modi will also address a public rally organised by the BJP at Baripada.
To counter the Prime Minister’s visit, the Chief Minister will also address a gathering of around 50,000 women SHG workers at Puri and distribute seed money worth Rs 15,000 to each SHG and give each SHG member Rs 3,000 to purchase smartphones. He will also commence the distribution of other financial assistances being offered by his government.
Though both BJP and BJD are claiming that the two events are government programmes, the reality is that both the parties have engaged themselves in a tug-of-war ahead of the general election and the Assembly election in the state.
Naveen had attended the last government programme of the Prime Minister at IIT Bhubaneswar. However, this time, the Chief Minister will not be attending the Central government’s programme at Baripada.