Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi asserted that Odisha will achieve the goal of a Developed India through the Vivekananda Mission.
Addressing a press conference at the BJP state office, Majhi strongly countered opposition criticism, accusing the UPA government of using Mahatma Gandhi’s name for political gain.
Majhi said the lack of accountability led to widespread corruption in MGNREGA, which he described as a failed scheme. He alleged that during the UPA regime, implementation flaws and misuse of funds deprived people of benefits. “Opposition is only spreading misinformation,” he remarked, adding that the new law introduced under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership has provisions to eliminate corruption.
The Chief Minister emphasised that the new framework aims to provide 125 days of guaranteed employment instead of 100, focusing on four areas: water security, rural infrastructure, livelihood assets, and climate resilience. He assured that work will remain suspended during crop seasons to prevent fake entries and corruption. Beneficiaries will receive allowances if work is not provided within 15 days of demand.
Majhi also highlighted past irregularities, citing scams worth thousands of crores in Bihar and Uttar Pradesh, and even cases in Odisha where the names of deceased persons were misused in 2012. He said the new mission is designed to plug structural loopholes and ensure transparency through modern technology.
Senior BJP leaders, including State President Manmohan Samal, General Secretary Sarada Satapathy, Panchayati Raj Minister Rabi Narayan Naik, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Mukesh Mahaling, Deputy Chief Whip Gobinda Chandra Das, and MLAs Babu Singh and Ashrit Pattanayak, were present at the press conference.
