Naveen Patnaik not implementing Centre's schemes in Odisha for own gains, alleges Piyush Goyal

Railway Minister Piyush Goyal, who was on a campaign trail in Odisha on Sunday, slammed the BJD government and accused it of not cooperating with the Centre in the implementation of important projects in the state. Goyal addressed several election programmes in Puri, Athagarh and Kendrapara, besides taking part in a roadshow at Mahakalapada under the Kendrapara Lok Sabha constituency, where the party has fielded former MP Baijayant Panda.

"The Odisha government has not been extending necessary cooperation and help for proper implementation of a number of projects. As a result, the railways network in the state still remains poor," the minister alleged as reported by agencies.

Goyal said it has failed to take necessary steps to expedite land acquisition for several railways projects. "It has almost become impossible to execute railway projects in Odisha, due to the state government’s non-cooperation in land acquisition. The BJD government has pushed the state into backwardness," Goyal said. He didn’t stop short of accusing Patnaik of not implementing Central government schemes for his own political gains.

"By not allowing the Ayushmaan Bharat scheme to be operational in Odisha, Patnaik has denied poor Odias from getting benefits of the ambitious health insurance scheme," the minister said.