Orissa not implementing centrally funded schemes: Rahul

Bhubaneswar, Jul 14: The Naveen Patnaik-led BJD government in Orissa came under fire from Congress leader Rahul Gandhi today (Jul 14) for ''not implementing'' centrally funded schemes and corruption.

"It is not a problem of central funds which are abundant. The problem basically relates to corruption and non-implementation of centrally-funded schemes," the AICC General Secretary told reporters here before wrapping up his two-day visit to the state.

Gandhi alleged that though Rs 35,000 crore was provided by the Centre to Orissa, the funds were not utilised properly as the BJD government failed to implement various schemes and programmes.

Describing the rural job scheme MGNREGA as a dynamic and powerful tool for the uplift of the poor, Gandhi claimed that the Orissa government had failed to properly implement it.

He claimed that during his visit to some places in the state he found that many women were unaware of MGNREGA.

Speaking about the membership drive by the Youth Congress, he said youths were joining it in large numbers. Gandhi also claimed that the Congress could return to power in the state.

"I am confident that the Congress can come to power in Orissa," he said.

The Congress had been in power in the state between 1995 and 2000. The next assembly elections are due in 2014.

PTI