Post News Network
Bhubaneswar, Dec 9: Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik held a meeting of Parliamentarians from the state in New Delhi Tuesday, at which he outlined the major state issues that they are required to take up in both houses of Parliament during the current Winter Session.
BJD member of Lok Sabha Kalikesh Singh Deo said, “The Chief Minister encouraged us to raise Orissa’s concerns and issues, and we had a lengthy discussion on the major subjects that are to be raised in Parliament.”
Patnaik asked Parliament-arians from both Houses to bring to the Centre’s attention issues such as speeding up of the ongoing railway projects, Central aid during calamities and implementation of several road projects, besides other demands.
BJD Parliamentarians said the Chief Minister, after visiting the Central Hall of Parliament, stepped into the new BJD office on the ground floor of Parliament. He spent about 30 minutes there and enquired as to whether the newly-elected MPs were effective in raising the state issues in Parliament. “The Chief Minster motivated the new MPs of our party while having a discussion with the members,” said Bhubaneswar MP Prasanna Patsani.
“Since some of us are new, the CM’s visit was very encouraging to us,” said Kandhamal Lok Sabha MP, Pratyusha Rajeswari Singh. “I will raise more issues related to my constituency in the coming days of the ongoing session,” she said.
Speaking to the media, Patnaik said, “I am very happy to be back in Parliament House and meet BJD members both from the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha. I discussed with them major issues and demands of Orissa that they would do well to raise in Parliament.”
The Chief Minister was seen being greeted by, among others, Janata Dal (United) chief Sharad Yadav.
Patnaik, who visited Delhi mainly to attend a meeting of Chief Ministers on the restructuring of the Plan panel, also met Prime Minister Narendra Modi and railway minister Suresh Prabhu in the last two days.