Patnaik meets PM to demand more funds for Orissa

Orissa Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Tuesday met Prime Minister Manmohan Singh in New Delhi to demand more funds for flood relief and mid-day meal scheme in the state.

Orissa Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Tuesday met Prime Minister Manmohan Singh in New Delhi to demand more funds for flood relief and mid-day meal scheme in the state.

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"I met the Prime Minister regarding many important matters for Orissa. First of all, the funds that the Centre owes us for very serious floods that happened last year in my state. That money is owed to us," Patnaik told reporters outside Parliament House after meeting Singh.

The Orissa Chief Minister also discussed the "mineral royalty" that the Centre owes to Orissa. "The Prime Minister has assured me that this has been tackled to some extent," he said.

Patnaik also demanded funds for mid-day meal scheme for the children belonging to poor section. He also sought assurance from the Prime Minister on the Polavaram issue involving Andhra Pradesh which wants to share water with the state.

Some tribal areas of the state bordering Andhra Pradesh have been inundated and the matter is with the apex court,
Patnaik said.

This was Patnaik's first meeting with Singh after Assembly elections in the state in April-May this year and presentation of the budget there.