Addressing a public meeting at Jharsuguda on Thursday, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik warned that the Centre's negligence to the State would not be tolerated any more.
"I had raised nine points vis-Ã -vis Centre's negligence to Odisha. Tell me if I have said anything wrong. The negligence can't be tolerated any more," said the Chief Minister.
Claiming that Jharsuguda has already witnessed a sea change in development during the last 18 years, Patnaik said, "The development process will continue in the district. I will do it with your support."
Making a comparison between the Biju Expressway constructed by the State Government and National Highway-200, the CM wanted to know from the audience as to which would be preferred by them.
He severely criticised the Centre for stopping flight operations from the Jharsuguda airport. "The Jharsuguda airport was inaugurated a few days back amid much propaganda (by the Central Government). But flight operations have stopped now," Patnaik lamented and further said, "I have urged the Centre to introduce a Shatabdi Express between Jharsuguda and Bhubaneswar. Let us wait for the Centre's response now."
Patnaik also slammed the Centre for not raising the coal royalty despite his repeated requests, "This area is rich in coalmines. I have demanded many times for a coal royalty revision. A decision can be taken in five minutes. The royalty has not been revised since 2015. Odisha is losing thousand of crores of rupees. Who will compensate the loss? Do we only deserve pollution? You decide," he posed.