The poor cry for bread, while government wheat and all schemes and facilities have today become nothing more than a dream for the poor.

The Centre claims to provide food to the poor, but what kind of food it is and how far this claim reflects reality is hard to understand. Today, the poor are being forced to eat only rice water (pakhala), whether it is drought, rain, or winter. Whom will they complain to? Oppression of the poor has continued for generations, because they cannot come out on the streets, nor is there anyone to listen to their suffering. It appears that the poor are meant to remain poor forever. Earlier, government fair price (control) shops used to provide wheat along with rice. Today, wheat has become a dream for the poor. They do not get flour. They do not get even a single piece of bread. In the bitter cold, they shiver and survive on pakhala. Even when someone is suffering from diabetes, fever, or any other illness—times when bread is essential—the poor are still forced to eat pakhala. Yet, the rulers remain asleep. During the previous government, understanding the suffering of the poor, wheat was provided through control shops. But this government has completely snatched food from the mouths of the poor. When will the government wake up and ensure that at least a handful of wheat reaches the homes of the poor? Because of this, poor people across all districts of Odisha are today distressed and dying slowly. If the government arranges this facility at the earliest, perhaps poor families can obtain a piece of bread when needed and live a healthy life in society. Similarly, it would not be wrong to say that most government schemes meant for the poor have become mere dreams. These remain limited to paper and pen alone. Saying so would not be incorrect. Facilities related to health, education, agriculture, housing, employment, and transportation are all moving today in a state of disorder. This situation is mainly due to the indifference of government employees, negligence in their duties, and the fact that many officials remain posted in the same place for long periods. The government’s lack of seriousness about timely transfers has resulted in chaos, corruption, misappropriation, and misuse of government schemes reaching extreme levels. Strict laws and strong action must be taken against these corrupt officials who embezzle public money. These officials draw hefty monthly salaries, yet despite that, the looting and misuse of government schemes has become the primary reason for the government’s failure. If officials are transferred every two to three years and posted outside their own blocks and districts, failures, misuse, and corruption can be curbed. Only then can Odisha and India truly move forward. What remains to be seen is when this will actually be implemented.