Union Petroleum Minister Dharmendra Pradhan today accused Odisha government of attempting to hijack centrally-sponsored schemes like the one for providing subsidised foodgrains to the poor.
"The state government has been trying to take undue credit of a number of welfare programmes which are sponsored by the Centre," Pradhan said at a function at the BJP state headquarters here on the occasion of Jayaprakash Narayan's birth anniversary.
Stating that the ruling BJD is giving publicity to various schemes "portraying" them as state government's programmes, the Union Minister said the same is being done in case of National Food Security Act for providing subsidised foodgrains to the poor throughout the country.
Emphasising the need to oust BJD from power, the BJP leader asked party workers to launch an organised mass movement to make people aware of the reality.
Referring to linking of bank accounts for direct deposit of subsidies, Pradhan wondered as to why the state government was opposed to it.
The Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas plans to provide gas subsidy to at least 3.5 crore people in Odisha, the Union Minister said.
A number of premier educational and research institutions are proposed to be set up in the state by the central government, he said, alleging the state government is trying to take credit for establishment of proposed medical colleges.
