Reacting to the corruption allegations levelled by Prime Minister Narendra Modi against the BJD Government on Saturday, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik said, “He (PM) must have said so to enthuse his political workers. In fact, they should be thinking of their own Skill India mission and Ujjwala scams and also thinking very seriously about the record rocketing fuel prices.”
On allegations of Odisha not opting for the Centre’s Ayushman Bharat scheme and Food Security Act, Patnaik said, “The State’s health scheme covers extra 50 lakh people which the Central scheme doesn’t provide for. The State’s Food Security Act also covers additional 25 lakh people; and our health scheme provides health benefit of Rs 7 lakh to women against Rs 5 lakh provided under the Central scheme.”
Also responding to Modi’s allegations, BJD spokesperson Arun Sahoo said whatever assistance is being given to Odisha is through the Food Security Act and not as charity.
“The PM was addressing own party activists and it was not a public meeting. The MCI and many experts have hailed the Biju Swasthya Kalyan Yojana, which is better than the Centre’s Ayushman Bharat,” said Sahoo.
Sahoo further stated that in many sectors, Odisha is the model State which has been recognised by the Government of India itself.
