DECLARE ODISHA AS ‘SPECIAL FOCUS STATE; NAVEEN PATNAIK IN EZC MEETING
Bureau,Odishabarta
Bhubaneswar:Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, the vice-chairman and host of the 24th Eastern Zonal Council Meeting (EZC), welcomed all the guests and attendees to Temple City of Bhubaneswar.
Addressing the meeting, Patnaik said: “One of the prime objectives of Zonal Councils is National Integration and Create healthy Inter-State and Centre-State relations. Integration has to be Financial, Infrastructural, Technological, so it leads and strengthens emotional Integration.”
He also discussed points regarding the same that concerned Odisha in particular.
The Chief Minister said: “If a nationwide analysis is done for Teledensity Banking density and Rail and Road density, East Zone would be at the bottom in all these subjects that are in Union List. There is a need to double the allotments made to this region so that they catch up to the national benchmarks.”
“This Zone contributes maximum to the mineral wealth of the Country and in turn Manufacturing and Energy Security of the Country. The fruits of this wealth should boost the economic growth of this region and its people,” he added.
Demanding an increase in Royalty for coal, the Odisha CM said: “Royalty on Coal has not been revised from 2012. There is an urgent need to revise royalty on Coal and also to share the proceeds of clean Energy cess with the State Government.”.
He also urged to announce a Special Economic package for speeding up Infrastructural Development of the region.“Our Regions have some of the largest scheduled areas of the country. I reiterate my demand for inclusion of Ho, Bhumij and Mundari languages in the Eighth Schedule of Constitution”.
While Patnaik was thankful to the Union Government for their support during “FANI”, he added that “Taking the frequency of natural disasters faced by Odisha into consideration, “Vulnerability to Natural Calamity” should be taken as a criterion to declare Odisha as a ‘Special Focus State’.”
Besides, delay in the release of Grants to Urban Local Bodies, and Non-release of Subsidy of Paddy Procurement also cause serious issues to farmers.He also stated that “Though the State provides 50% funds and land free of cost in important railway projects but progress has been very slow.”
Concluding his speech by bundling up all the concerns, Naveen again welcomed the dignitaries to the Council meeting. He also hoped for effective and successful deliberations.
He thanked Union Home Minister Amit Shah for providing the state an opportunity to host the meeting in Odisha, the land of Lord Jagannath.
Friday, Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik hosted a lunch at his residence for Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Chief Ministers of other states.Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Union Pertroleum and Natiural Gas Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banherjee and Jharkhand Finance Minister Rameshwar Oraon relished Odisha’s authentic delicacies at Naveen Niwas.
The guests were served with Baigana Bhaja, Aloo Mutter Masala (Odia style), Gucchi Paneer, Dal, Tomato Chatni, Papad, Boondi Raita, Machha Besara (fish curry in mustard paste), Roti and Rice. They were also treated with Chennapoda and Rasmalai.
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