Sambalpur: The Congress has committed many mistakes in the past for which it is facing punishment from the people today, said the newly appointed Odisha Pradesh Congress Committee president Niranjan Patnaik.

"The Congress will not commit such mistakes in future," Patnaik assured the people, saying that the party would act, according to the directive of the people and work for their benefit. He said the Congress was people's party. "We are committed to the people. Whatever the downtrodden say, we will obey," said Patnaik while addressing a party rally at Jharsuguda on Thursday.

Referring to the present situation of the state, Patnaik said: "No one is happy in the state. Farmers, women, students, scheduled caste and tribes - everywhere people are staring at an uncertain future."

He alleged that the state government, instead of waiving farmer loan, was providing benefit to the industrial houses. Mostly the farmers were the worst sufferers because of crop loss and non-payment of insurance claims as promised by both the Union and state governments.

The central and state governments, without introducing any new welfare schemes, are taking credit of the old ones implemented by the Congress government in the past, alleged the PCC chief.

The Jharsuguda Congress committee gave a rousing reception to Patnaik, local MLA and Congress working president Naba Kishore Das and his new team of office-bearers.

A rally was organised in the town where Congress workers from various parts of the district took part. The leaders were taken in a well decorated open jeep from Badmal Chowk to the historic Jhanda Chowk from where they walked down to the meeting place. The meeting was presided over by Jharsuguda district Khet Majdoor Kishan Morcha president Jagannath Jena. Zila parishad chairman Lakshmi Narayan Patel presented swords to the leaders.

Patnaik and his new office-bearers arrived in Sambalpur on Friday to attend a seminar on Mahanadi issue. He also visited the office of the Sambalpur district Congress committee.