Odishatv Bureau
Bhubaneswar: Apparently in its biggest state-level mass convention, leaders of the Biju Yuva Jananta Dal (BYJD) on Sunday fired salvos at the Centre for its ‘step-motherly’ attitude towards the state. 
 
Addressing the gathering, BYJD President and Bramhagiri legislator Sanjay Das Burma said, “Though Odisha is generating a sizable revenue every year and placed among some top zonal revenue earners, we are being neglected by the Centre in Railways and also royalty on mining”. 
 
“We will not tolerate the step-motherly attitude of the Centre anymore and I would like to seek permission of Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik to allow the youth wing for a mass demonstration in front of the Parliament,” added Burma.
 
Senior party member and MP Baijayant Panda alleged, “Though the Central government is yet to ascertain its new yardstick for ‘special state’ tag, states with three-fold financial strength than Odisha have been included in the category.”
 
The convention which too witnessed the presence of party heavy weights including MPs Prasanna Patsani, Baijayant Panda and ministers Prasanna Acharya, Debi Prasad Mishra, Damodar Rout and Pratap Keshari Deb united its voice against the Centre and reiterated the demand for ‘special category’ status to Odisha. 
 
Addressing the convention, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik emphasized on youth power and said that the party aims to enroll 5 lakh yuva activists in the days to come who will be the torchbearers for the prosperity of the state.
 
“By 2020, Odisha will scale new heights and grab top spot among all prospering states,” Patnaik said. 
 
Earlier in the day, unveiling the Odisha State Youth Policy (OSYP) 2013, to address the problems of young people (15-35 years) who constitute about 42% of the state’s population Naveen announced that all meritorious students at plus two level will be provided with free laptops.
 
"To bridge the digital divide, all the meritorious students at plus two level will be provided with free laptops. Under this initiative, special focus would be given to girls and students belonging to SC and ST communities," Naveen said.
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