Cong says Central panel report exposes BJP’s growth claims

Raipur, September 28, 2013

Congress on Saturday said the Raghuram Rajan committee report had exposed BJP government’s developmental claims. The report proves that the government’s claims were fake and based on false figures, the party said.

Notably, the Centre had constituted six-member committee chaired by RBI governor Raghuram G Rajan for evolving a composite development index of states. In its report, the panel identified ten states including Chhattisgarh as least developed.

“The state witnessed escalation in corruption, not development under BJP’s two tenures,” said Congress MLA Ajit Jogi.

“The state could not progress because the government lacked effective policies. The government also misused Central funds meant for public-oriented schemes,” he added.

Citing panel report, the PCC spokesperson Mahendra Chhabda said the government failed to provide basic facilities including drinking water, toilets and electricity in rural pockets.

“The union rural development ministry says Chhattisgarh’s 65% population lives below poverty line. The government completely failed to implement MNREGA effectively in rural belts. As against its claims of providing 150-day job under the Act, the registered labourers get not more that 50-day employment. The report also says that maximum number of poor families belong to scheduled caste and tribal communities,” he said.