2 min readBhubaneshwarUpdated: Sep 29, 2023 09:49 AM IST
Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Thursday took a dig at the Opposition parties over the politicisation of very sensitive cases for “narrow vested interests”.
In his reply to the state Assembly during a supplementary discussion of the home department, Patnaik said that such an attempt (politicisation of sensitive cases) is an injustice to the victims of the case, to the committed police personnel who work night and day, and to the people of Odisha.
Patnaik also took a dig at the leader of Opposition Jayanarayan Mishra, without naming him, for allegedly assaulting an on-duty woman police officer during a BJP protest in Sambalpur in February. Mishra was also booked by police under various sections though he had earlier denied the charge. “This cannot be tolerated in a civilised society,” said Patnaik.
Stating that the overall law and order situation in the state has remained largely peaceful and under control, Patnaik said communal harmony has been maintained. “There was no significant law and order incident on the students, services, industrial, labour and agrarian front. The overall Maoist scenario in the state has shown remarkable improvement,” said Patnaik.
Even as the Opposition parties targeted the state government over the rising crime graph against women, Patnaik said his government has zero tolerance towards crime, particularly, crime against women. He said they have ensured free, fair, and impartial investigation.
“With all humility and my experience in this House, I can say those who work for people return to this House and those who do politics over crime and stall development for political consideration have not been able to return to this august House. People are watching the conduct of the Opposition, and how desperate they are to stall development works,” said Patnaik.
The chief minister said his government will continue to march ahead in transforming Odisha into a ‘new and empowered Odisha’.
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Patnaik said that his government’s ‘Mo Sarkar’ initiative, a feedback-based governance model, has instilled confidence in the public services among citizens.
Patnaik also stated that Odisha is among the top-performing states in the country in convictions and dismissal of convicted public servants.
