Bhubaneswar: Protesting Mahanadi issue and Union Minister VK Singh’s remark on special category status for Odisha, a state-wide agitation will be observed by the youth and students’ wing of BJD on June 19.
Activists of Biju Yuva Janta Dal (BYJD) and Biju Chhatra Janta Dal (BCJD) will hold protests and stage agitation at all district headquarters across Odisha. Besides, they will protest against Union Minister of State for External Affairs General VK Singh for downplaying the demand of special category status for Odisha.
“The remark of Union Minister VK Singh that Odisha does not need special category status is unfortunate. Biju Yuva Janta Dal (BYJD) and Biju Chhatra Janta Dal (BCJD) will hold protests against this at all district headquarters on June 19,” said State President of BCJD Rana Pratap Patra.
On the other hand, BJP has criticised this move of BJD. Talking to media persons, President of BJP Yuva Morcha (BJPYM) Tankadhar Tripathy said, “BJD is staging a drama in name of Mahanadi and special category status demand. They have constitutional rights but are misguiding students and youths of Odisha. It took them 18 years to know that government officers are taking percentage by harassing people, they should be answerable on it.”
Notably on June 13, Singh had said it is not necessary to assign special category status to the State. He stated Odisha has not registered development as desired.
Singh added that the Centre had already launched a lot of welfare schemes for many states, including Odisha. While the State is getting 12% higher funds than before, why is there a demand for special category status, he questioned.