CM seeks financial autonomy for Odisha

Bhubaneswar: Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Wednesday demanded financial autonomy for Odisha as he attacked the Central government for failing to carry out development work in the state. The Chief Minister said the state will not need special category status or central grants if financial autonomy is given.

“Odisha wants financial autonomy so that the state will develop with its own money,” said Patnaik while addressing the 21st Foundation Day of the Biju Janata Dal (BJD) at the party headquarters here. Patnaik targeted the Narendra Modi government by taking up several issues including the National Highway project, railways, coal royalty revision, banking network, minimum support price for paddy, special category tag, 33 per cent reservation for women in Parliament and assemblies and SC/ST development. On rail projects, he said the state has allocated land for the Khordha-Bolangir railway line and sanctioned half of the project cost, but the project has not made any progress yet. Criticizing the BSNL mobile network in Odisha, Patnaik said people have to go to treetops or rooftops of buildings to get the mobile network in the state.

The Chief Minister, who had welcomed the demonetization move by the Central government, said the people were made to stand in long queues at banks following the decision. On the other hand, Union Petroleum Minister Dharmendra Pradhan launched a scathing attack on Naveen Patnaik and the BJD government. Linking chit fund scam accused Saroj Sahu to Naveen Patnaik, Dharmendra asked the Chief Minister to clarify what this man was doing at Naveen Niwas and how he is linked to him. With the BJD celebrating its Foundation Day, the Congress on Wednesday observed a black day across the state. (IANS)

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