Bhubaneswar: Targeting the state government over its rural housing scheme Biju Pucca Ghar Yojana (BPGY), the state BJP Monday alleged that the state government is hijacking Central schemes to gain political mileage.
Addressing the media at the party office here, state BJP leader Lekhashree Samantsinghar said the BJD government is indulging in petty politics by naming housing units constructed under Central scheme Pradhan Mantri Aawas Yojna (PMAY) as BPGY houses.
She questioned the state government’s claim of constructing over 20 lakh pucca houses in Odisha in the last five years.
Accusing the government of mastering the art of taking credit for schemes being implemented by the Centre, she said the ruling party is misleading the people by making false claims on its achievements through advertisements.
The BJP leader said the Panchayati Raj minister himself had informed the Assembly September 11, 2018 that the state government had completed construction of 3.77 lakh houses under state-funded BPGY while over 16.23 lakh houses are constructed from Central assistance provided under PMAY.
Asserting that the state government has not given any budgetary provision for BPGY since 2017-18 financial year, the BJP leader claimed that the state had received Central assistance of Rs 3,100 crore in 2017-18 and Rs 3,600 crore in 2018-19 and Rs 4,820 in this year under PMAY.
BJP raised this issue again apprehending Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik may lay foundation stone for 4 lakh pucca houses through videoconferencing September 17. However, Panchayati Raj Minister Pratap Jena rubbished it.
Refuting the allegation of hijacking Central schemes, BJD leader Arabinda Dhali said, “The state government is not hijacking any scheme of Union government. All programmes and schemes are being implemented as per norms and sufficient funds are being allocated for the same.”