Bhubaneswar: Odisha Pradesh Congress Committee (PCC) President Bhakta Charan Das on Friday launched a scathing attack on the state government, alleging negligence, inadequate planning, and underreporting of the scale of recent floods in Odisha. He questioned the lack of a long-term flood management strategy and accused the government of prioritizing industrialization over environmental sustainability.
Addressing a press conference at Congress Bhawan, Das said the government’s claim of floods affecting only 30,000 people across eight blocks does not reflect the ground reality. “Flood situations have arisen in at least five districts, including Mayurbhanj, but the government has only acknowledged three,” he said.
He also criticized Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi for failing to hold an all-district review meeting or direct ministers to conduct assessments in the affected areas. “Has there been any proper evaluation of casualties, crop damage, or destruction of agricultural land?” Das asked, adding that both the State and Central Governments must disclose the financial aid provided and expenses incurred.
The Congress leader claimed that over one lakh people have been affected and demanded monthly relief, a special package for farmers and sharecroppers, and immediate crop insurance for affected farmers. He stressed that damage assessments must extend beyond three districts to all blocks in the five affected districts, with compensation disbursed accordingly.
Das also demanded a permanent flood control mechanism to prevent recurring devastation. “Despite years of investment, a lasting solution remains elusive because there is no scientific regulation of river water,” he said.
