TV
New Delhi/ Bhubaneswar: Re-iterating the long-standing demand of Special Category Status for Odisha, CM Naveen Patnaik and party MPs put forth a series of demands including revision of mineral royalty and a hold on Polavaram project before Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the latter’s office in New Delhi on Monday.
“We brought up a number of important demands of Odisha including our long-standing demand for Special Category Status (SCS) and revival of mineral royalty rate by 15 per cent” Naveen Patnaik said. He also sought of inclusion of additional 5 lakh BPL families under Indira Gandhi National Pension scheme.
Besides, the BJD supremo accompanied by 24 party MPs also demanded Rs 1,397 cr as special central assistance for 'Nabakalebar' of Lord Jagannath to be held in 2015. He drew the attention of PM for State’s demand to include Sambalpuri Koshali & Ho languages of Odisha in the 8th schedule of the constitution.
Raising thecontroversial Polavaram project, Patnaik appealed to Modi to stop construction of the river project which would submerge parts of Malkangiri district.
“We demanded to recognize the genuine concerns of Odisha on submergence and flooding of Malkangiri and to hold the Polavaram project”, the CM said.
He also demanded early commencement of international flight operation to and from Bhubaneswar.
On a query over BJD’s support to NDA government, Naveen said no discussion has been held yet on the issue. However, the party will play a constructive role as far the central government is concerned, Naveen told the media persons.
