Bhubaneswar, April 5 (IANS) Odisha received more central funds during the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) rule than what it got during the term of the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government, Congress president Sonia Gandhi said Saturday.
Addressing an election rally at Khariar town in Nuapada district, about 550 km from state capital Bhubaneswar, Gandhi said the plight of the people, however, did not improve because the Biju Janata Dal (BJD) government in the state failed to deliver at the grassroots.
Accusing the BJD and the BJP - allies for 11 years until 2009 - of making false allegations against the Congress, she said the UPA government provided huge funds to the state without any discrimination.
"These people (BJP and BJD) are in a habit of making false allegations. They never want to look within," she said.
"During the last 10 years, our UPA government provided huge financial assistance to your state for your welfare without any discrimination. Thousands of crore rupees were given" she added.
She said the funds were sanctioned under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) for people to get employment.
However, it was "unfortunate" that people had to migrate in search of jobs, she said.
Gandhi said the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) is now probing a MNREGA scam running into thousands of crores of rupees in the state following the direction of the Supreme Court.
Highlighting several other scams, including the mining scam, pulses scam, mid-day meal scam, she said the central government doled out funds to the state for several schemes but the state government failed to implement them properly.
She appealed to the people to vote for the Congress.
She also tried to strike an emotional chord with the gathering by reminding them about the role her son Rahul Gandhi, late husband and former prime minister Rajiv Gandhi and mother-in-law Indira Gandhi played in the development of Odisha's tribal regions.
Congress leaders non-committal on Rahul's return from leave
New Delhi, March 9 (IANS) Over two weeks after the Congress said its vice president Rahul Gandhi was on leave of absence to reflect on the future of the party, there appears no certainty about the
In Corona India: Active case fell by more than 5 thousand for the fourth consecutive day, it has reduced to 4.22 lakh, this is the lowest in the last 133 days
Continuation of the decline in the active case of Corona in the country continues for six consecutive days. 5059 active cases were reduced on Wednesday. This was the fourth consecutive day when more
Scam 2003: This actor got a chance to become the mastermind of 20 thousand crore scam, Hansal will not direct
Steve Smith could not do wonders with the bat in the 100th Test, created history with fielding and gave a befitting reply to the audience
Australia's Test specialist player Steve Smith is making new records with his performance. Smith is playing the 100th Test match of his career in the third match of the Ashes series at the historic
If India loses... I will marry Zimbabwean boy: Pakistani actress said - India will lose in the next match
Pakistani actress Sehar Shinwari said that if India beat Zimbabwe in the T20 World Cup, she will marry a Zimbabwean boy. Sehar Shinwari said this in a social media post on Thursday.
Investors should be a part of India's growth story, Nirmala Sitharaman calls upon American entrepreneurs
Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman has invited global investors to be a part of India's growth story. Addressing the Business Roundtable meeting organized by the US-India Business Council and CII in
Stock Trading Tips: Today there is a chance to earn in these stocks, follow these tips before the market opens
Day trading guide for Monday: The market is going through ups and downs. The short-term range for Nifty is seen at 17070-17500. Below 17070 Nifty may slide to the level of 16810. Levels above 17500
Joe Biden: Biden's big attack on Hamas-Putin, said - both are enemies of democracy, Ukraine-Israel important for US
US President Joe Biden, in his address to the nation from the Oval Office, said that both Hamas and Russia are bent on destroying democracy. He also described Ukraine and Israel as important for
Political uproar over IGI Airport Terminal-1 accident, Kharge attacks Modi government; BJP gives a befitting reply
Due to heavy rains in the capital Delhi on Friday, a major accident occurred due to the collapse of a part of the roof of T-1 of IGI airport. One person died due to the collapse of a part of the roof
Diesel Export Tax Hike: Center hikes windfall tax on export of diesel, cuts tax on domestic crude
The central government has increased the windfall profit tax on diesel. At the same time, aircraft fuel has again been brought under its purview. According to the notification issued by the Finance
