Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik reiterated his years old demand for Special Category State status (SCS) to Odisha and raised many issues concerning the interest of the State during his 35-minute meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi on Monday.
“We raised various demands and issues of Odisha, starting from SCS status to commencement of international flights from Bhubaneswar and the Polavaram project and its consequences in Malkangiri district,” Patnaik told mediapersons after the meeting.
A release issued by the Chief Minister’s Office (CMO) stated that the Chief Minister urged the Prime Minister to include Kosali and Ho languages in the 8th schedule of the Constitution of India, immediate release of special funds of `1,397 crore for Nabakalebara festival of lord Jagannath scheduled to be held in July next year, commencement of international flight operations from the Biju Patnaik International Airport to boost international tourism and economic development of the region, completion of ongoing railway projects, including doubling of Khurdha-Puri line, Khurdha Junction Bypass, modernisation of Bhubaneswar and Puri Railway Stations, sanction of new projects required to actualise rail corridor and port connectivity in the State, release of compensation amount on account of reduction of Central Sales Tax from 4 per cent to 2 per cent, release of Central aid for Accelerated Irrigation Benefit Programme (AIBP) and the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme and inclusion of additional 5 lakh beneficiaries under the Indira Gandhi National Pension Scheme.
“The Prime Minister assured me that he would look into the demands and take positive steps on them,” Patnaik told mediapersons.