The ruling BJD on Sunday decried NITI Aayog Vice-Chairman Arvind Panagariya’s turning down the State Government’s demand for Special Category State (SCS) status to Odessa on Saturday.
“It is most unfortunate that the NITI Aayog Vice-Chairman has turned down our Special Category State demand though Odisha deserves it as the State fulfils all criteria except international border norm,” said BJD spokesperson Pratap Jena.
Notably, Panagariya had told reporters here that he doesn’t feel any relevance of the State Government’s demand. His contention was that there has been an increase in the devolution of Central taxes to the States, including Odisha, from 32 per cent to 42 per cent by the 14th Finance Commission.
In June 2013, the BJD had organised a big rally in New Delhi to press for the demand.