War of words between ruling BJD and Opposition over distribution of concrete houses

Bhubaneswar, Jan 8: A war of words has begun between the ruling BJD and the Opposition over the distribution of concrete house to thatched house owners. This has obviously hotted up the political atmosphere in the state While BJD is planning to start distribution process of 20 lakh concrete houses from March 5, the day which coincides with the birth anniversary of legendary leader Biju Patnaik in whose name the regional party has been founded, the Opposition parties have alleged that 14 lakh ineligible beneficiaries have been detected under the Awas Yojana. While BJP has threatened the BJD that it would not allow the state government to hijack the Central housing schemes as its own, the latter has countered claiming that it has been felicitated by the Centre for its successful implementation of housing schemes. The ruling BJD has planned to focus on the distribution of concrete houses on the occasion of the completion of 20 years of the party rule in the state on March 5 in order to win the hearts of voters ahead of polls. Ministers will distribute work orders for construction of 20 lakh concrete houses under Biju Pucca Ghar Yojana in various districts as part of celebration of the occasion. Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik has, therefore, convened party meeting in advance to discuss the matter ahead of Biju birth anniversary. The state government has set a target to convert all the thatched houses across the state to concrete within coming three years. Will these houses to be constructed under Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana or Biju Pucca Ghar Yojana, questioned the Opposition parties. BJP said other states have already started distribution of work orders under Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana and execution work. However, it has not been done yet in Odisha. Fourteen lakh ineligible beneficiaries enlisted under Awas Yojana have been identified in the state. If the state government tries to distribute houses to the ruling partymen branding the Central housing schemes as its own, this will be opposed, threatened the BJP,  the party in power at the Centre. Congress alleged that house scheme scam has already started in Odisha.   On the other hand, the ruling BJD claimed that the state government has already been awarded by the Centre for its good performance under the housing scheme. " The state government will definitely start distribution of work orders for 20 lakh concrete houses", said the party leaders.