Bhubaneswar (SunstarTV Bureau): Odisha Government’s youth engagement programme Biju Yuva Vahini (BYV) is no longer functioning in the State and no budgetary allocation has been made for it in 2021-22 fiscal, informed Minister Tusharkanti Behera in Odisha Assembly on Friday.
The Minister of Electronics and Information Technology, and Sports & Youth Services today clarified that presently no welfare activities are being undertaken by the BYV anywhere in the State.
“Biju Yuva Vahini is no more functioning. It is not carrying out any work for the interest of public as no budget was allotted for BYV in 2020-21 fiscal,” Behera said while replying to a query of MLA Bhawani Shankar Bhoi.
Meanwhile, Leader of Opposition (LoP) Pradipta Naik alleged, “the scheme was launched for the benefit of the ruling party during elections. Huge amount of money was looted from state exchequer to fund the BYV.”
Odisha Pradesh Congress Committee (OPCC) Chief Niranjan Patnaik said, “BJD does not require Biju Yuva Vahini anymore as there is no election around. The ruling party will come up with some other ‘Vahini’ when there will be elections after three years.”
The Minister’s statement stirred up a debate with the Opposition BJP and Congress targeting the State government.
The BJP alleged that the Biju Yuva Vahini was formed keeping in view the election which has now been proved. The party demanded clarification on the purpose of formation of BYV.
Notably, BYV was introduced by the Sports and Youth Services (DSYS) Department on March 14, 2018 with a total budgetary allocation of Rs 450.49 crore for a period of three years. The objective of the scheme was to promote leadership and spirit of volunteerism among the youths through social action at Gram Panchayat (GP) and Urban Local Body (ULB) level.
