Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Tuesday met Prime Minister Narendra Modi at his residence in New Delhi and sought his intervention in many issues concerning the State.
“I met Prime Minister Narendra Modi this morning. I sought his intervention in several matters which include bridge linkage of coals to the Odisha Power Generation Corporation (OPGC), early starting of bidding process for the ultra mega power project (UMPP) at Bedabahal in Sundargarh district and allocation of an alternate block including Tentuloi Coal Block for Odisha Thermal Power Corporation limited (OTPC). Also, the allocation of two more coal blocks for Odisha Mining Corporation (OMC) and earmarking of more coal blocks for auction for non-regulative sector was discussed,” Patnaik told reporters after the meeting.
Patnaik further demanded conditional environmental clearance for mining projects in Odisha where final reports by the National Environmental Engineering Research Institute are pending and sharing of Green Cess with the State Government at a ratio of 60:40.
“The Prime Minister appreciated our concerns and assured me to look into these matters at an early date,” he added.
Interestingly, Patnaik did not take up the Naral wagon repair factory or the drought compensation issue with Modi.
“I did not raise these issues during the meeting. I have written a letter to Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu about that,” Patnaik responding to a question of reporters.