Bhubaneswar, Feb 22: Biju Janata Dal (BJD) is set to step up the demand for special category state status and package to Odisha during the ensuing Budget session of Parliament.
This was decided at the BJD Parliamentary Party meeting presided over by the party president and Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik here on Sunday.
Patnaik told reporters after the meeting that he had discussions with BJD MPs on issues to be raised by them in the ensuing Budget session of Parliament.
The MPs have been asked to pursue timely repair and restoration of Lord Jagannath temple in Puri with Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) and the concerned ministries, release of dues pending towards drought of 2015 and cyclone ‘Phailin’ of 2013, he said.
The party MPs would also seek release of central share towards completion of five new medical colleges and press for modification of existing rice and wheat allotment ratio to suit the needs of National Food Security Act (NFSA) beneficiaries, Patnaik said.
Patnaik said, “I had discussions with my party MPs to be raised by them in the ensuing budget session of the Parliament. They have been asked to pursue the completion of the timely repair and restoration of Lord Jagannath temple in Puri with the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) and the concerned ministries, release of dues pending towards drought of 2015, Cyclone Phailin of 2013, non-release of Central share towards completion of five new medical colleges, and modification of existing rice and wheat allotment ratio to suit the needs of the National Food Security Act (NFSA) beneficiaries. We will also be given emphasis in course of their discussion in the Parliament,” Patnaik said.
Bolangir MP Kalikesh Narayan Singhdeo, who was present at the meeting, told the media that the meeting also decided to urged the Centre for a special package to the State.
“As Odisha has been historically neglected by the Centre, grant of special package and special category state status would help it overcome the inequality in the development,” he said.
