Unemployment in CM's home district: Congress leader Bijay Patnaik
Senior Congress leader Bijay Patnaik slammed Odisha's BJD government on Thursday, alleging that Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik's home district of Ganjam is severely affected by unemployment, misuse of official machinery, and backwardness.
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Berhampur: Senior Congress leader Bijay Patnaik slammed Odisha's BJD government on Thursday, alleging that Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik's home district of Ganjam is severely affected by unemployment, misuse of official machinery, and backwardness.
During a visit to the district, the bureaucrat-turned-politician told reporters that there is widespread misuse of government machinery in Ganjam, posing serious challenges to democracy.
The Congress leader claimed that the ruling BJD is putting pressure on government officials, including senior officers, to work for the BJD's success.
Officers such as BDOs and Tehsildars are even being asked to ensure the victory of BJD leaders in elections, he claimed, adding that government officials are also being asked to achieve set targets.
Noting that Ganjam is the Chief Minister's home district, Patnaik suggested that Naveen take steps to prevent such practices and allow officers to work impartially.
He stated that all government officers are efficient and that government employees should be allowed to work freely and should not be engaged in party activities because it is unhealthy for a democracy.
In reference to unemployment, the former chief secretary blasted the state government for failing to address the plight of migrant workers in the district, claiming that lakhs of them leave the state in search of work.
During the Covid pandemic, lakhs of migrant laborers returned to several parts of Odisha, primarily Ganjam. It demonstrated that the state government failed to create jobs.
Patnaik slammed the BJD government for failing to take initiatives to create jobs and set up industries in the region, claiming that the establishment of industrial units can generate jobs.
He claims that thousands of acres of land were acquired from Gopalpur residents a long time ago, but nothing has been done so far.
He suggested that the government establish textile mills and garment manufacturing units in the region, which would provide jobs for thousands of people.
Patnaik urged the state government to take it up as part of its Make in Odisha initiative, saying the Chief Minister, who is currently in Japan, should take steps to establish a textile or automobile complex in the area, which would benefit thousands of people.
Noting that the spinning mill and sugar mill established during the Congress period in Aska are now closed, the Congress leader stated that the government must pay attention to these units and bring them back to life.
