Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik reiterated his demand for Special Category State status for Odisha in the presence of Prime Minister Modi at Paradip Refinery inauguration here on Sunday.
Patnaik also demanded extension of the Chennai-Vijayawada industrial corridor to Odisha.
Modi, who spoke on the occasion later, however, did not refer to Patnaik’s pleas made in English at the end of his earlier Odia speech obviously for the PM”s benefit of understanding.
Pradesh Congress Committee president Prasad Harichandan told the media in Bhubaneswar that it was a matter of disrespect for the State that the PM ignored the CM”s pleas. Moreover, the PM did not announce any new projects or any assistance for the State, he added.