BJD-BJP to strive for special category status

The BJD-BJP alliance in Orissa today asserted that it would continue to strive for getting special category status for the state.

The BJD-BJP alliance in Orissa today asserted that it would continue to strive for getting special category status for the state.

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"We need special category status and our efforts for it will continue as it would benefit the state immensely", Chief Minister and BJD supremo Naveen Patnaik said.

Releasing the joint election manifesto of the two parties here in the presence of state BJP president Manmohan Samal, Patnaik said the government had taken up the matter with the Prime Minister and Planning Commission.

"I hope we'll succeed", he said.

Samal clarified that the Prime Minister had already said that Orissa did not qualify for the special category status as it did not conform to the rules and guidelines laid down for the same. However, Orissa was now getting more assistance from the Centre compared to other states, he said.

Asked whether the state needed special category status, Samal replied in the affirmative.

Replying to a question on the demand for creation of a separate Koshal state comprising the Western districts, the Chief minister said his government had been working for development of the whole of Orissa including the western belt.

Patnaik favoured a +speedy and amicable+ settlement of of the vexed Ayodhya issue.

Questioned about the possibility of the profit making National Aluminium Company Ltd (NALCO) getting privatised, Patnaik said he had been pursuing the Centre to ensure that no disinvestment took place in the company.