‘Govt dancing to the tune of industrial houses’

The Statesman, Feb 20, 2009
Statesman News Service

BHAWANIPATNA/ ROURKELA Feb. 19: The Naveen Patnaik government is dancing to the tunes of industrial houses and gifting away valuable mineral resources and land, alleged Congress leaders while pointing out at the series of foundation stone laying ceremonies conducted by the chief minister during January-February.
Addressing a series of meetings in Dharamgarh, Narla, Thuamul Rampur and other parts of Kalahandi yesterday, the newly nominated OPCC chief Mr KP Singh Deo said that the spree of foundation stone laying ceremonies conducted by the Mr Patnaik only exposes the pre-poll stunts of the ruling party.
"During the last nine years the BJD-BJP government has only indulged in such gimmicks whereas Orissa has slipped to the bottom to become the poorest state in the country. Funds under various Central schemes are lying unspent," he alleged.
"People do not have access to government officials who are over riding elected representatives because Mr Patnaik trusts the officials more than his political colleagues including ministers," he remarked.
"The chief minister is laying foundation stones to protect the interest of industrial houses. It is selling the rich mineral resources of the state to the capitalists at throw away price," he charged.
He called upon Congress workers to unite and work hard in the ensuing elections.
"The Congress party will prepare a chargesheet detailing the misdeeds of the Naveen Patnaik led government and present it before the electorate for consideration," said Mr Singh Deo at Sundergarh.
While addressing a gathering at bus stand field, he appealed the Congress workers to show a united front to fight the corrupt government and teach it a lesson.
Mr Singh Deo made a one-day whirlwind tour of Sundergarh district today. He was accompanied by one of the three working presidents Mr BC Das and campaign committee chief Mr S Jena.
The meeting was attended by all the fraction leaders of the party. Among others, former chief minister Mr Hemananda Biswal, former ministers Mr Kishore Patel and Mr Prakasg Debta, Rourkela DCC president Mr Prasant Behera were present.