Date:22/08/2007 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2007/08/22/stories/2007082257300300.htm

Other States - Orissa

Job scheme fails in Ganjam: BJP

Staff Reporter

District-level workshop for
long-term plan to protect Gopalpur beach resort

BERHAMPUR: At a district-level workshop in Gopalpur, the BJP said that implementation of the National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (NREGS) failed in Ganjam district.

Party State president Suresh Pujari, vice-president Prthviraj Harichandan and State Yuva Morcha president Bibhuti Jena attended the workshop organised by the Berhampur unit of the party.

In a resolution, the party accused officials of furnishing false utilisation certificates to show that NREGS was being successfully implemented in the area. They also alleged that 53 per cent of funds meant for developmental works in Ganjam district remained unutilised. The resolution assumes importance as Ganjam is the home district of Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik. Further, the scheme was reviewed by Mr. Patnaik only on Monday, wherein and it was said that implementation was almost 80 percent in the State.

The resolution hinted at the fact that BJP workers in Ganjam district intend to distance themselves from the BJD before the next elections.

The district unit urged the State and Central governments to prepare long-term project to protect the Gopalpur beach resort from sea erosion. Its other demands included preparation of master plan for the city, filling of vacant doctor posts at MKCG Medical College.