TNI Bureau: Union Petroleum and Steel Minister Dharmendra Pradhan on Saturday came down heavily on the Odisha’s BJD Government, accusing it of denying benefits of the PM Kisan Samman Nidhi scheme to the State farmers.
While addressing farmers at Krushak Sammilani in Dhenkanal Dharmendra Pradhan said, “During Congress Government in 2013-14, farmers were paid Rs 1,310 for 1 quintal paddy. Narendra Modi Government increased it to Rs 1,815 per quintal. He has directly transferred Rs 53,680 crores into accounts of farmers of Odisha”.
Stating that the Centre has given Rs 60,000 crore to Odisha farmers through different schemes during the last six years, Pradhan raised questions on the fate of Odisha Government’s own farmers scheme “KALIA”.
Pradhan also alleged that the State Government is hijacking the central Government scheme by using Biju Pucca Ghar logo on houses constructed under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY) in Odisha.
Responding to Naveen’s criticism of national parties, the Union Minister said women’s empowerment is the basic tenant of Narendra Modi Government.
Modi Government has been providing subsidized LPG under Pradhan Mantri Ujjawala Yojana to empower women and making toilets in rural areas under Swachh Bharat to respect their dignity, Pradhan said.
More than 77 lakh toilets have been built in Odisha alone. More than 47 lakh LPG cylinders were given free of cost in the State during the Covid-19 pandemic, he added.
The Union Minister stated that the Central Government transferred Rs 1258.20 crore to more than 85 lakh women account holders of Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana.
Dharmendra also demanded a CBI probe into Pari Muder Case saying the Odisha Government has failed to deliver justice and complicated the matter further.