Patnaik`s statement came a day after Deputy Chairman of Planning Commission Montek Singh Ahluwalia said the panel was not considering any proposal to accord special category state status to Odisha now. "At 9 per cent growth why do you need special category state status," Ahluwalia asked while replying a question here on Friday at the celebration of the Nalco`s Foundation Day.
In his speech there, Chief Secretary B K Patnaik had said the state`s GDP was 9 per cent, more than the national average and Odisha had also reduced poverty by 10 per cent. In reaction to Ahluwalia`s remark, the chief secretary said: "Growth at the rate of 9 per cent in not sufficient. Ye dil maange more."
The chief minister said Odisha should continue to accelerate the growth process in order to achieve more development through increased central funding. Alleging that the Centre sanctioned less assistance to Odisha under the Backward Region Grant Funds in comparison to other states, Patnaik said it should continue the ongoing Revised Long Term Action Plan for the development of the poverty stricken KBK (Kalahandi-Bolangir-Koraput) region.