Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik’s visit to Jajpur on Monday was marred by agitations of Congress and Accredited Social Health Activists (Asha) workers. The Chief Minister was here to launch the ‘Dial 108 Emergency Service’ under Odisha Emergency Medical Ambulance Service (OEMAS) project in the district.
Over 100 Congress workers were arrested a few metres from the Chief Minister’s meeting venue at Zilla High School grounds while they were on their way to stage a black flag demonstration. They were protesting the State Government’s involvement in multi-crore mining scam and other corruption cases like chit fund, MGNREGA and MDM. They were later released.
“Chief Minister had promised to provide 10 lakh jobs to the unemployed youths of the State, but none has received any job till now. Machines instead of manpower are being used under MGNREGS scheme,” said Srinath Mishra, president of district Congress Committee of Jajpur.
At the public meeting, Naveen dedicated 14 ambulances under OEMAS to the district. “The project will provide emergency health services across the district,” he said.
Prior to this, hundreds of Asha workers, who were present at the venue, shouted slogans demanding hike in their salary. The Chief Minister then called them on the dais and after a small discussion, the workers submitted a memorandum to him.
“We are getting a paltry Rs 350 per child birth and we want the Government to pay monthly salary of Rs 5,000,” said an Asha worker.