BJD supremo and Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik extended his support to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s idea of ‘One Nation, One Election’ at the meeting of presidents of political parties held in New Delhi on Wednesday.
Patnaik said that natural disasters may be considered as a criterion for according ‘Special Focus State’ status to the States like Odisha.
Giving his suggestion on Mahatma Gandhi’s 150th birth anniversary celebrations, Patnaik reiterated that the ideal of ‘nonviolence’ or ‘Ahimsa’ be included in the Preamble to the Constitution.
He emphasised on making 33-per cent reservations in the Lok Sabha and State Assemblies’ seats.
On Aspirational Districts, Patnaik said the Centre should focus on the telecom density, banking network and railway reach. He said micro issues may be left to the States to focus with support from the Centre.
Patnaik wanted that the Land Acquisition Laws of 2013 be relooked especially from the point of view of railway and road infrastructure development.
There is a need to relook into the Forest Conservation Act as far as environment protection is concerned, he also opined.
Patnaik urged the Union Government to treat Central and State PSUs on an equal footing for statutory requirements.