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Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday slammed Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik for saying no to the Centre’s flagship Ayushman Bharat health insurance scheme and alleged that a “PC” (percentage commission) culture has become the state government’s identity.
Patnaik, however, dismissed the corruption allegation, saying Modi must have said it to enthuse BJP workers.
The war of words between Modi and Patnaik comes ahead of the Odisha assembly polls and general elections next year.
Addressing two public meetings in Talcher and Jharsuguda, Modi spoke about the BJD government in Odisha rejecting the mega health insurance scheme and also lagging on Swachha Bharat campaign parameters.
Stepping up his criticism of the Patnaik-led government, Modi alleged that a “PC” (percentage commission) culture and delaying decisions have become the identity of the Odisha government resulting in the state’s tardy development.
The prime minister said PC impacts implementation of housing and toilet schemes and other welfare projects.
There have been allegations of corruption in sapling plantation, polythene packaging of milk, road construction and irrigation, he alleged. There are allegations of widespread corruption with involvement of people from the ruling party, Modi said, adding, “how can development take place under such a situation.”
Reacting to Modi’s remarks, Patnaik said the Centre should rather think about the “scam” in the skill mission and Ujjwala schemes.
“In fact, they should be thinking about their skill mission scam and Ujjwala scheme scam. They should be considering that,” the chief minister told reporters on returning from Jharsuguda, where he was with Modi at the inauguration of a new airport.
The Centre should also seriously think about the record increase in prices of petrol and diesel because of which the people of the country are suffering, the BJD president said.
On the Ayushman Bharat scheme, Patnaik said the state’s scheme is better than the centre’s as it covers an extra 50 lakh people and provides Rs 7 lakh to women as against Rs 5 lakh by the central programme.
Similarly, an extra 25 lakh poor people are covered under the food security scheme in the state, he said.
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