Mentioning about the party’s promise of providing Special Category State status to Odisha in its election manifesto in 2014 which could not be fulfilled, Patnaik said that the BJP talks more and does less.
“BJP talks more and does less. In 2014, they (BJP) had promised us of Special Category State status to Odisha. We all know what happened to that,” the CM said speaking to reporters at the State Secretariat while announcing about the KALIA scheme for farmers.
Patnaik also lambasted the Congress for the same demand. “The Congress’ demand will be a ridiculous reputation of their government (in Odisha) from 1995 to 1999. The treasury was bankrupt, salaries could not be paid and infrastructure suffered. It (farm loan waiver) hasn’t paid in the past, it will not pay in the future,” he said.
“This KALIA scheme is progressive. It helps everyone in a progressive way, including their self-employment potential,” he added.
Prasanta Patnaik