New Delhi: The Biju Janata Dal (BJD) on Friday submitted a memorandum to the Election Commission of India (ECI) to release funds from Kalia Yojana for farmers in Odisha.
The BJD alleged that the funds are being stopped due to pressure put by the ruling BJP government.
Speaking to ETV Bharat, BJD leader Pinaki Mishra said that the Odisha Chief Electoral Officer Surendra Kumar is acting under pressure and not granting permission for disbursal of cash benefits under Kalia scheme even though the same was announced before poll notification.
Pinaki alleged that Kumar stalled the implementation of the KALIA scheme in the state due to enforcement of the election model code of conduct.
"We asserted that the BJP should not be allowed to succeed in its design to stop Kalia assistance. Earlier, the state CEO had said an ongoing programme could not be stopped or discontinued when the model code of conduct was in force but no new scheme could be launched or new beneficiaries added to an existing one," added Pinaki Mishra.
Odisha will face Lok Sabha and Assembly elections in four phases on April 11, 18, 23 and 29. Odisha has 21 Lok Sabha and 147 Assembly seats.
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