Bhubaneswar, March 29 (IANS) After the ruling BJD expressed its dissatisfaction over central PSUs backing out from the Aahar scheme, the Odisha unit of BJP on Sunday hit out at the former, stating that the PSUs' corporate social responsibility (CSR) funds were not meant for election expenditure.
The much-hyped Aahar scheme, under which the state government plans to provide lunch at Rs.5 per person in five urban centres from April 1, has hit hurdles after three central public sector companies MCL, NALCO and Rourkela Steel Plant (RSP) backed out of a commitment to provide funds.
Senior Bharatiya Janata Party leader Bijay Mohapatra said the Odisha government has launched the subsidised rice scheme keeping an eye on civic elections in the state and it tried to rope in the PSUs to provide funds from their CSR activities.
"Your (BJD) election expenditure cannot be met out of CSR fund. CSR is not for charity. It is for sustainable development and creating assets," Mohapatra told media persons.
The BJP leader, however, said the party is not opposing the scheme. He said the government should have incorporated the scheme in the budget instead of seeking assistance from public sector undertakings.
Mohapatra also said RSP and Mahanadi Coalfields Limited (MCL) have been asked to set up medical colleges with an investment of Rs.200 crore each while they are also providing funds worth Rs.800 crore for construction of toilets in schools in Odisha.
The BJD government had announced launch of the Aahar scheme in Sambalpur, Rourkela, Bhubaneswar, Cuttack and Berhampur cities.
In addition, the BJP leader blamed the state government for the power tariff hike announced by the Odisha Electricity Regulatory Commission (OERC).
"The state government has supported the OERC decision to hike the electricity tariff, which will affect the common people in the state. The same government has also exempted electricity duty of Rs.128 crore on Vedanta company," Mohapatra added.
Biju Janata Dal leader Pratap Keshari Dev rubbished the allegations made by the BJP. He said the Central Electricity Regulatory Commission ordered the power tariff hike though the state government had written to it to keep the rates unchanged.
KKR vs DC: There will be a lot of runs in Eden Gardens, and bowlers will be craving for wickets! Understand the condition of the pitch through statistics
Kolkata Knight Riders will clash with Delhi Capitals in the 47th match of IPL 2024. In the first encounter this season, KKR's team dominated Pant's army and scored 106 runs. In such a
BJP convenes a national executive meeting, there may be talk about Lakhimpur ruckus and elections
The BJP has called a meeting of the National Executive before the assembly elections of 5 states including Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, and Punjab. ANI quoted sources as saying that this meeting could
President, Prime Minister Oli could not get a majority to form a new government in Nepal
After losing the trust of Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli, the President of Nepal, Vidya Devi Bhandari, has given three days to call political parties to form a new majority government and till 9 pm on
Mundra Port Heroin Seizure: NIA filed a charge sheet in the case of 3000 kg heroin recovered at Mundra Port, telling how and from where the drugs had reached.
Mundra Port Heroin Seizure Case: The NIA filed a second supplementary charge sheet on Monday (February 20) in the case related to the seizure of about 3000 kg of heroin at Mundra port in Gujarat. The
This great phone from Redmi is getting huge discounts, compete with Honor 9A
In the new year, Xiaomi is giving gifts to its customers. The company is offering discounts on its popular smartphone Redmi Note 9 Pro Max. Along with this, many types of offers are also being given
Demo of the remote voting system: Eight national and 57 regional parties understand RVM, and 16 parties including Congress oppose
The Election Commission on Monday showed the prototype of the Remote Electronic Voting Machine (RVM) to the representatives of political parties. The commission had called eight recognized national
31 crore people to get corona vaccine in first phase in India, blueprint ready
Before the arrival of the Corona vaccine, the Priority Group has been finalized in India. In the first phase, 31 crore people will be vaccinated. These include healthcare workers, police, priority
Retail Inflation Rate: Retail inflation may remain above 7 percent in June, CPI was 7.04 percent in May
The country's retail inflation rate may remain above 7 percent in June as well. However, despite this, it will remain above the Reserve Bank of India's (RBI) target of 2-6 percent for the sixth
Nayab Singh Saini will be the next Chief Minister of Haryana, approval given in the legislative party meeting; Will take oath at 5 pm
BJP has changed leadership in Haryana. After the resignation of Chief Minister Manohar Lal, Kurukshetra MP Nayab Saini has been elected the new leader in the BJP Legislature Party meeting in
PAK Foreign Minister said - We are not pauper, will not be: a day ago took a loan of 4 thousand crores from China, and also asked for a loan from IMF
China is once again giving a loan of $1.3 billion to Pakistan which is on the verge of bankruptcy. Pakistan's Finance Minister Ishaq Dar gave this information on Friday. Dar said- the Industrial and
