Bhubaneswar: Senior Congress leader and MLA Suresh Routray urged the Central government to take immediate measures to recognize Utkal University as a central university and also made a host of demands before the newly inducted three union ministers from Odisha.
“Central status to Utkal University is 30-year-old long demand. I urge Dharmendra Pradhan who has newly assumed the charge of Union Education Ministry, to convert the university into a central varsity,” he said.
Routray called upon Pradhan to take up the matter with utmost priority. "Utkal is your alma-mater and you once pursued your higher education in the institution. You also became a leader and subsequently a minister due to the blessings of the university. So, you should pay back your duties at the earliest without any delay," he said.
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The senior Congress lawmaker also put forth a host of demands before new Railway Minister Aswini Vaishnaw while praising his decision of making double-shift for the staff of his railway office to expedite works.
The Congress leader demanded that the new Minister should focus on Odisha with priority on special attention to Bhubaneswar railway station.
“You should convert the Bhubaneswar railway station into a world class station. The statue of Pandit Nehru should be installed on the right side of the station while Harekrushna Mahtab’s statue, the founder of the Capital city, should remain on other side. In the middle, the horse statue, the emblem of Odisha government should remain fixed at Master Canteen square,” Routray demanded.
The Congress MLA also demanded introduction of new railway project between Puri and Konark, completion of Khurdha-Bolangir railway project and modernisation of Jatni electric engine factory.
He also demanded modernisation of Khurdha Road station and introduction of more trains from it.
“Aswini Vaishnaw should introduce a new train after the name of Lord Lingaraj, which would connect Khurdha to Delhi, Khurdha to Madras and Khurdha to Bombay,” Routray demanded.
Khurdha road junction is generating Rs 80,000 crore of revenue. You should spend some amount from the earnings for the modernisation of the station and its periphery, he added.
Routray also urged the Mayurbhanj MP and new Tribal Affairs minister Biseswar Tudu to take steps to convert restore the tribal status of ‘Sabar’ community who have been erroneously spelled as ‘Saara’ in all official records. It will help many students belonging to the tribe get government benefits in every sector especially education.