Rahul Gandhi: Odisha has become centre of unemployment

Congress President Rahul Gandhi on Friday alleged that Odisha has become the centre of unemployment while attacking Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik for failing to provide jobs to youth in the state.

"Odisha has become the centre of unemployment as most of its youths are migrating to other states in search of jobs," Rahul Gandhi said while addressing party workers in Bargarh district.

He said that there were 1.5 lakh government posts, 30,000 school teacher posts and 5,000 medical staff posts vacant in the state.

Rahul Gandhi assured that the Congress will fill up the vacancies once the party comes to power in the state.

The Congress President also raised the chit fund and mining scam issues to target the state's Biju Janata Dal government.

"₹5,000 crore was looted from the people by the chit fund companies and Naveen Patnaik handed over ₹50,000 crore to his friends through the mining scam. I want to assure you that whoever looted public money, we will take action and provide justice."

Citing examples of loan waiver and raising minimum support prices (MSP) on paddy in Chhattisgarh, Gandhi said his party not only made promises but also kept them.

"The Chief Minister had promised to set up cold storages and provide irrigation facilities but farmers here continue to commit suicide. Similarly, the Prime Minister also raised farmers' issues in all his speeches but unconcerned about waiving off farm loans," he said.

Terming the Goods and Service Tax (GST) as "Gabbar Singh Tax", Rahul Gandhi said it will be a simple tax after Congress forms the government at the Centre.