'Ama Odisha, Nabin Odisha' Works To Resume: Panchayati Raj Minister Rabi Narayan Naik

Bhubaneswar, Sept 3: State Panchayati Raj Minister Rabi Narayan Naik has cleared the clouds over the 'Ama Odisha, Nabin Odisha' initiative Tuesday saying the stalled works of the said initiative will resume after thorough check.

Answering a question from senior Congress leader Tara Prasad Bahinipati, the Panchayatiraj Minister has cleared the state government's stand in this matter.

The senior Congress leader has reportedly raised a concern over the 'Ama Odisha, Nabin Odisha' initiative during the ongoing Budget Session of the 17th Odisha Legislative Assembly. He asked about the spending details in this initiative.

In response, Rabi Narayan Naik has said that the Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi-led government will "resume the stalled works of Ama Odisha, Nabin Odisha."

"A budget of Rs 3,457 crores had been allotted for 'Ama Odisha, Nabin Odisha' initiative," said Rabi Narayan Naik, who is also the Minister of Rural Development & Drinking Water.

"Only 30-40 per cent of works has been completed, while some of the works are underway. Works at some places have been stalled due to land acquisition issues or for some other reasons," added Naik.

The Panchayati Raj Minister also stated that information regarding some works are yet to be forwarded from block or panchayat level to the department. "Those blocks and panchayats have been ordered to submit their reports at the department as soon as possible," Rabi Narayan Naik said.

Explaining about the allotment, Naik said, "About 80 per cent of the budget of Ama Odisha, Nabin Odisha is still in DRDA." He, however, assured that the grant for the completed works will definitely be given.

The Minister also took a dig at the former government for spending some of the allotted money in 'Arpana Ratha'. "A portion of the alloted budget for Ama Odisha Nabin Odisha has been diverted to 'Arpana Ratha' campaign," stated Rabi Narayan Naik.

'Arpana Ratha' was a campaign, as part of the 'Parikrama Project' worth Rs 800 Crores, to spread Jagannath culture across the state.

"The development works must have been affected by this move (budget diversion). So considering those issues, we are taking steps accordingly," Naik said further.

The Minister also slammed the handling of MGNREGA Scheme. "There is lot of corruption in MGNREGA scheme. Big names and rich people have job cards, and the they are getting the money under the scheme," said Rabi Narayan Naik.

"However, the rightful people who deserve those money aren't getting the help. So we are planning to delist those ineligible job card holders and will make Odisha 'Daadan Free'," Naik signed off.

Notably, MGNREGA scheme, earlier known as the National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (NREGA), is an Indian social welfare measure that aims to guarantee the 'right to work'.

The scheme aims to enhance livelihood security in rural areas by providing at least 100 days of wage employment in a financial year to at least one member of every household whose adult members volunteer to do unskilled manual work.