Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Saturday announced that his Government would start preparing a vision document “Odisha at 100” soon to ensure holistic development of the State by 2036, the 100 year of Odisha formation.
Patnaik stated the State Government would start preparations for celebrating the ‘100-year formation of Odisha’ from the birth centenary of Biju Patnaik which falls on March 5, 2016.
Patnaik was speaking at the 18th foundation day of the BJD at the party headquarters here. “We will celebrate Bijubabu’s birth centenary in a befitting manner in the State and also at national and international levels,” said he. Maintaining that an advanced and empowered Odisha is the objective of his Government, Patnaik said, “From next year, during the birth centenary of Bijubabu, we will initiate preparations to celebrate the 100-year formation of Odisha as a separate province.”
On the occasion Patnaik, who is BJD president, reiterated the issue of “step-motherly attitude” of the Central Government towards the State. “We will fight against the discriminatory attitude of the Centre,” he said.
Talking on the plights of farmers, Patnaik said the farmers of the State have incurred massive losses in this year’s drought.
“Our Government has announced a special drought package for the farmers. Besides, my Government has made a provision of loan assistance to the tune of Rs10,000 crore for the farmers for the ensuing Rabi crop,” said he.
Taking a dig at Opposition, the BJD supremo said his party always believes in fulfilment of its promises instead shedding crocodile tears. “We believe in work and our work is not limited to the Opposition, which has the habit of shedding crocodile tears,” stated Patnaik.