While praising the pre- and- post measures in Cyclone ‘Yaas’ by the Odisha Government, the Samajwadi Party (SP) has urged CM Naveen Patnaik for reiterating the demand for Special Category State (SCS) status for Odisha by sending an all-party delegation to the Prime Minister. Writing a letter the CM, SP State president Rabi Behera said, “We congratulate you for successfully fighting cyclone ‘Yaas’. The preparation and evacuation of around 5 lakh people made it possiblefor lesser casualty of only two persons.
No major damage to life and property occurred for which your Government and the employees deserve all praise.” At the same time, Behera said Odisha is a disaster prone State and deserves special attention for economic revival. Super Cyclone in 1999, Phailin in 2013, Hudhud in 2014, Titli in 2018, Fani in 2019 and Amphan in 2020, besides Yaas now, have destroyed the economy of Odisha like anything.
“Hence your Government should demand Special Category States Status/Focus State Status before the Centre,” said Behera.Besides, he urged the State Government to demand for construction of a one-km-wide green wall of mango forest along the 480-km seacoasts.