Bhubaneswar: Reiterating his demand for a special category status (SCS) for Odisha, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik Friday slammed the Modi government for failing to fulfil the promise made during 2014 elections.
Addressing party workers at the ongoing Jansampark Padayatra here, Naveen said, you all know that BJD-BJP alliance had formed government in Odisha from 2000 to 2009. We had fought together to get a special category status for Odisha. In BJP’s manifesto ahead of 2014 elections, the number one promise was to accord a special category status (SCS) on Odisha. I was extremely elated to notice this.”
Unfortunately, he said, BJP forgot its promise after it assumed power. The expectations of people remained unfulfilled. Stating that people will remind BJP of its promise during 2019 elections, the CM said “The people of the state will give a befitting reply to the BJP in the upcoming elections.”
“Special Category Status is our right. We’ll keep on fighting for this,” he said hinting that BJD was going to make it as a main issue during the upcoming general elections. Earlier, Naveen had also raised the issue and targeted the Centre. Justifying his demand of special status, the BJD president said, “Odisha faces natural calamity almost every year. It causes severe damage to properties. Is it not a strong ground to get SCS?”
“Odisha will get tax rebate. Investment activities will increase, thereby creating employment opportunities. Now Odisha bears 50 per cent as its share in many central sponsored schemes. With a special tag, the Centre and the state share will be 90:10 respectively so that the surplus resources can be utilized for education, health and infrastructure sector,” he pointed out.
Reacting to the statement of CM, Union minister Dharmendra Pradhan said after 14th Finance Commission, there is no system of special category status. “Despite knowing this, the Chief Minister is raising the issue time and again to make it a political issue,” he tweeted.
Stating that the central negligence is now not an issue for Odisha, the BJP leader alleged that state government is creating hurdles on expediting funds sanctioned by the Centre and central PSUs on rail, road, power, health and petroleum sectors.
“The CM and the state minister are making contradictory statements in assembly and political rallies on the issue,” he added.
Meanwhile, Leader of Opposition Narasingha Mishra said, “BJP has already admitted that it always believes in ‘jumla’. Their minister Nitin Gadkari has on record said they have won 2014 elections by giving false promises to the people.”
Slamming the BJD chief, Mishra said, “After taking charge as Union Cabinet minister, Naveen had also promised a special category status for the state at a meeting in Ranchi. However, he failed to do so.”
In May 2013, then Planning Commission had informed the state that Odisha does not fulfil two of the five criteria to get a special category status.
In a written reply to Assembly, planning and convergence minister Usha Devi also stated this. She had said Odisha does not fulfill criteria like not having international boundary and non-viable nature of state finance.