NDA Govt. at Center Resorting To “Political Discrimination” Towards Odisha : Naveen
By B.Maharana
05 March, Bhubaneswar ( odibizinfo)
Renewing his center bashing model of politics , Odisha Chief Minister and BJD Supremo Naveen Patnaik Thursday accused the NDA Government of “political discrimination” towards the state.
Alleging that the present Union Government led by Narendra Modi has resorted to neglecting Odisha and reducing its share of central funds, Patnaik threatened to intensify movement against Central injustice.
Patnaik, while addressing the party men at the BJD headquarter here on the occasion of the birth anniversary of his father and former chief minister Biju Patnaik , said that Union Government was drastically cutting the share of Odisha in the 14th Finance Commission allocation.
Even the demands of Odisha are not being considered in the Union Budget , while Special Packages were granted to Bihar and West Bengal, he pointed out.
“The centre has to play its role in the development of the state in a federal structure. Unfortunately, even though the centre appreciated the state’s performance in managing fiscal deficit, it has reduced the share of the state in the 14th Finance Commission. Is it not political discrimination?” the chief minister asked.
The discriminatory policy of Center would lead to weakening the country, he cautioned .
On the other hand the Bharatiya Janata Party was quick to refute Patnaik’s allegations and urged him to focus on development instead.
Union Tribal Affairs Minister Jual Oram, who is a Lok Sabha member from Odisha, said: “According to the recommendations of the 14th Finance Commission, the devolution of share has been increased to 42 percent from 32 percent. The state would receive more funds as per recommendations. The total share may touch Rs.2 lakh crore which include mining royalties “ , he said with a piece of suggestion,” Chief Minister should read the recommendation of the 14th FC”..
Reacting to the demand for special packages, Oram slammed the Chief Minister for resorting to double standard .
Stating that Special Packages are being given to revenue-deficit states, Oram said that Odisha presented itself a state with high economic growth and lost its entitlement.
“Why didn’t the chief minister go and tell the commission that his state is revenue deficit? He rather went and highlighted his achievements, thereby making the state ineligible for the special entitlement,” Oram said.