Congress government in Chhattisgarh has rechristened five schemes, named after BJP ideology Pandit Deendayal Upadhyaya, and named them after former Prime Minister names Indira Gandhi, Rajiv Gandhi and architect of constitution BR Ambedkar – leading to criticism from opposition BJP that it’s continuation of political vindictiveness and an attempt to erase an ideology.

A government order issued late on Monday night said Pandit Deendayal Swalamban Yojana has been re-named as Rajiv Gandhi Swalamban Yojana while Pt Deendayal Upadhyaya Sarvasamaj Manglik Bhavan Yojana will now be known as Dr BR Ambedkar Sarvasamaj Manglik Bhavan Yojna.

Similarly, Pt Deendayal Upadhyaya LED Path Prakash Yojna has been rechristened as Indira Priyadarshini LED Path Prakash Yojna, Pt Deendayal Upadhyaya Ajivika Kendra (Livelihood centre) Yojana is now Rajiv Gandhi Ajivika Kendra Yojna and Pt Deendayal Upadhyaya Shuddh Peyjal (clean drinking water) Yojana has been named as Indira Priyadarshini Shudhh Peyjal Yojana. All these schemes are under the state urban administration and development department.

Opposition BJP raised the issue during the zero hour in the assembly on Tuesday when Narayan Chandel (BJP) demanded a debate on their notice for adjournment motion while his party colleague Ajay Chandrakar described the rechristening as undemocratic and it is not a good practice in a democratic system.

Meanwhile, BJP vice-president and former chief minister Raman Singh said in a statement that the state government deliberately rechristened schemes named after Pandit Deendayal Upadhyaya on the day of his death anniversary, which was observed on Monday. “This reflects the Congress mentality”, he said and sought to know what the incumbent government had done to make these schemes work better.

“Without making any new provisions, they have just renamed the schemes which clearly indicates that it’s a new episode of ongoing ‘Badla-pur’—the
politics of vendetta”, he added.

Source: TOI

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