Odisha being neglected, not getting support from Centre, says Patnaik

Patnaik said his government has unleashed all its energies for bringing “transformational changes” in Odisha

Updated on: Jul 19, 2023, 24:24:54 IST

By Debabrata Mohanty, Bhubaneswar

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Odisha is not getting the kind of support from the Centre that it should have in a system of cooperative federalism, chief minister Naveen Patnaik said on Tuesday, as he accused the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led Union government of constantly neglecting the eastern state in transfer of central funds.

Odisha chief minister Naveen Patnaik said that several national highway projects in the state are being neglected by the Centre (ANI)

Patnaik, who is also the Biju Janata Dal (BJD) president, said though Odisha featured among the five states that witnessed sharpest decline in multidimensional poverty as per the NITI Aayog report released on Monday, “it is not getting the required support from the Modi government”.

He was addressing BJD lawmakers ahead of the monsoon session of Parliament, scheduled to begin on July 20.

“As per NITI Aayog, multidimensional poverty in rural areas has declined from 32.64% in 2015-16 to 17.72% in 2019-20 and we are right on track to achieve all our goals,” Patnaik said. “However, the PM Awas Yojana was blocked for four years by not opening Awas Plus portal. After repeated requests, we received sanctions only for 8 lakh [800,000] houses, when the actual requirement is 15 lakh [1.5 million]. The elimination of PM Garib Kalyan Yojana and the closure of extra 5kg rice are an attack on the poor.”

The chief minister further said that several national highway projects in the state are being neglected by the Centre. “Many [NH projects] are announced, but no actual work done. Several NHs are running behind schedule. Six districts of state are yet to get railway network while there is no progress in coastal highway yet,” he told the party MPs. “There are also issues of banking, mobile and digital connectivity.”

Despite repeated requests, Patnaik said, 18% GST has not been removed from Kendu leaves.

“Odisha is facing constant neglect in transfer of state share and central funds. Farmers are also not getting Fasal Bima (crop insurance scheme) benefits. Issues like non-evacuation of surplus par-boiled rice by FCI [Food Corporation of India], non-payment of dues, non-implementation of the Swaminathan Committee report for MSP [minimum support price], irregular supply of fertilizers are some major issues,” he pointed out.

“Women’s reservation in the legislative set up of the country is a much talked about issue, which the Centre has forgotten. There are several tribal communities who face immense difficulties for not being included in ST list. There are also issues of inclusion of Ho, Mundari and Bhumij languages in the 8th schedule [of Constitution], which should be taken up,” the chief minister added.

Patnaik said his government has unleashed all its energies for bringing “transformational changes” in Odisha.

“Powered by the 5T Initiative, the governance has ensured distinctly visible changes in shortest possible time in every sector. With the Biju Swasthya Kalyan Yojana, and 5T School Transformation in place, two major indicators of our development goals have received a huge boost,” he added.

Reacting to the chief minister’s allegations, the BJP termed them “factually incorrect” and said Odisha has received maximum central funds in the last nine years of the NDA rule. “The allegations raised by the chief minister are factually incorrect. Odisha has received maximum central funds in the last nine years of the NDA (National Democratic Alliance) rule,” said BJP state general secretary Prithiviraj Harichandan.

“BJD government is trying to appropriate the centrally sponsored schemes like the PM Awas Yojana by fixing its ‘Biju Pucca Ghar’ logo prominently. BJD leaders have been collecting money from beneficiaries of the housing scheme before issuing work orders,” added Harichandan.

“The Modi government has been consistently increasing the MSP of all foodgrains, including paddy, to increase farmers’ income. Since paddy procurement under the price support system in Odisha is controlled by rice millers, the farmers are not getting the MSP. The BJD had promised to provide financial assistance of ₹10,000 to farmers to buy agricultural inputs for kharif and rabi crops. But just after returning to power, it reduced the amount to ₹4,000,” he added.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Debabrata Mohanty
Debabrata Mohanty is a senior assistant editor of Hindustan Times who works as state correspondent from Odisha covering the state's politics, governance, public policy, natural disasters, environment and its society for close to three decades. With his long years of reporting from the state capital of Bhubaneswar, Mohanty has been known as one of the most experienced and credible journalists covering Odisha for the national English dailies. His reporting combines on-ground detail with deep institutional knowledge detailing the state's changing politics, governance issues, administrative reforms and the functioning of its public institutions. He has regularly reported on issues ranging from legislative developments and public policy implementation. Politics is his core areas of expertise as he closely tracks Odisha's political landscape, including the rise and transformation of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), the Biju Janata Dal (BJD), the two principal political parties in Odisha. His long association with the state's political establishment enables him to write on contemporary developments in a larger political context. Mohanty takes a deep interest in writing human interest stories, environmental issues and documenting the impact of cyclones, floods, heatwaves, and other climate-related events in one of the most disaster-prone states. His coverage extends to public health, governance reforms and stories on accountability of government institutions. Before joining Hindustan Times, Mohanty worked with The Indian Express, Mail Today, and The Telegraph, where he covered at least six general elections and as many assembly elections. In 2007, he was selected for the prestigious Chevening Young Indian Print Journalist Programme at the University of Lincoln, United Kingdom, where he received advanced training in print journalism. In 2009 he won the Press Institute of India-International Committee of Red Cross award on conflict reporting for his on-ground reportage of 2008 Kandhamal riots.Read More

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