The Samajwadi Party State unit has urged President Ram Nath Kovind during his visit to Odisha to direct the Centre for Special Category State (SCS) status to Odisha.
Submitting a memorandum to the President, the SP also requested declaring India as a dry country as a tribute to the Father of the Nation Mahatma Gandhi on his 150th birth anniversary, promotion to Khadi products, installing statue of Mahatma Gandhi in front of each Collectorate, implementing Women Reservation Bill with a sub-quota for backward and minorities women, 27 per cent reservation for Backward Classes in jobs and so also in admission into colleges and universities and constituting a State level Backward Class Commission in the States where these facilities are yet to be provided.
Besides, the party demanded nomination of an Odia to Rajya Sabha Member from the President quota and conferment of Bharat Ratna on Biju Patnaik.