The State’s ruling BJD has decided to raise key issues including Mahanadi water tribunal, Andhra Pradesh Polavaram project and paddy minimum support price (MSP) hike demand in the upcoming second phase of Budget Session of Parliament which will commence from Monday (March 5).
The decision was taken at a BJD Parliamentary Party meeting chaired by Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik held at his residence Naveen Niwas here on Saturday.
“We will raise the key issues including Mahanadi tribunal, Polavaram, railway negligence and MSP of paddy in the Parliament. We will also discuss the issue of three new railway headquarters proposed by the State Government to the Union Government,” said BJD Parliamentary Party spokesperson Kalikesh Narayan Singh Deo after the meeting.
“Apart from these, we will also demand a scheme for development of the KBK region as special assistance. We too will continue to fight for special category status for Odisha and a special package and special assistance for the State,” he said.
Singh Deo said, “We have been trying to take non-UPA and non-NDA parties on our side for support to our issues. We will discuss with other States in this regard. We will continue to stay equidistant from the Congress and the BJP, he said.
“We notice that the Centre has been neglecting our State in many issues. The State’s rights are being ignored. We will take on our side the parties which are of the same view of Central apathy towards their respective States,” he added.