Buoyed with the success of the BJD Mahasamabesh at Berhampur, BJD supremo and Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik tried to woo voters at Sonepur and Boudh with his ‘pro-people’ schemes.
Speaking at a gathering here on Sunday, Naveen said BJD is a party of the people. “Odisha has only seen development ever since BJD came to power in 2000. Prior to that it was in a financial mess,” he said.
The Chief Minister said there is an ambitious plan to generate 10 lakh jobs in the next five years through skill development programmes.
He spoke about various welfare schemes launched by the BJD Government and the 50 per cent reservation for women in urban local bodies and panchayati raj institutions.
Reiterating the commitment of the State Government to help the SC/STs join the mainstream, he also had a word for the farmers keeping in view the demography and economy of the district. However, he did not touch upon the plight of weavers, although they form a substantial chunk in the district, much to the dismay of the weavers who had gathered hoping for some sops.
During his visit to Sonepur, Naveen inaugurated a bridge over the river Ang at Lachhipur in Sonepur block constructed at an estimated cost of Rs 11.35 crore. He also laid a foundation stone of Sahajbahal-Siali road via Bhimtikra at Siali under Dungripali block of the district.
In Boudh, the Chief Minister laid a foundation stone for a bridge over the river Tel to be built at a cost of Rs 22 crore which would connect Kantamal in the district with Tarbha in Sonepur district and three bridges over Chinchoda, Mankadadian and Adagudi nullahs in Kantamal block.