Naveen pursuing anti people policy - CPI

Bhubaneswar, Sep 28 (UNI) The CPI today flayed the ruling BJD-BJP alliance for 'failing' to keep its electoral promises and 'pursuing anti-people' policies at the behest of big business houses.

Speaking at a convention jointly organised by the All India Youth Federation and All India Students Federation to mark the culmination of four jathas, the leaders said though the alliance government had in their manifesto promised to protect the interest of the state, create enough employment and develop the educational system, they failed to keep their promises.

The Vir Surendra Sai jatha from Lanjigarh in Kalahandi, Sahid Laxman Nayak jatha from Tentuli Gumma in Malkangiri, Sahid Birsamunda jatha from Aamko Simko in Sundergarh and Utkal Mani jatha from Dhinkia in Jagatsinghpur started on September 10 to unite youths and students of the state against the 'anti-people' policies of the government.

The jathas culminated at a convention on Sahid Bhagat Singh's birth centenary day here.

Addressing the rally, AIYF national general secretary K Murugan alleged that in the name of development the Naveen Patnaik government was handing over rich mineral resources to big industrial houses at a throwaway price.

Instead of creating employment opportunities the government,he said, abolished around 1.5 lakh posts at the direction of the DFID and retrenched more than one lakh people.

The government, Mr Murugan alleged, had looted Rs 500 crores meant to create employment opportunities under the NREG a programme.

National CPI Executive Member Atul Kumar Anjan said the budgetary provision for education showed a steady decline from 20 per cent to seven per cent during the Naveen Patnaik regine and the government 'handed over' the education system in the hands of some businessmen and industrialists.

''Due to the wrong policy only six per cent of the students could afford higher education now,'' he said.

The leaders apprehended that the state's natural resources would be exhausted due to the 'faulty' policies of the government.

The Vedant and POSCO projects would create severe water shortage in the coming days, they feared.

The four jathas, the leaders said, were taken out from different places to educate the youths and students about the 'wrong' policies of the state and protect Orissa'a interest.

CPI state General Secretary Dibakar Nayak and other leaders also spoke on the occasion.

UNI