BJD to raise special category status among nine demands in Parliament session

Bhubaneswar, Dec 10: The Biju Janata Dal (BJD) Sunday said it will raise special category status to Odisha among nine other demands during the winter session of Parliament, beginning on December 11.

BJD spokesperson Pratap Deb, briefing mediapersons after the party’s parliamentary meeting presided over by BJD president and Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik at Naveen Niwas here, said that his party would demand for special category state status to Odisha, 33 per cent reservation for women in the State Assembly and Parliament, financial assistance for Titli cyclone-hit people.

The party will also demand development of railway sector in Odisha and introduction of trains in the name of Veer Surendra Sai, early solution to the inter-state river water disputes, accord first war of independence status to Paika rebellion, reduction of GST on kendu leaf from 18 per cent to 5 per cent and revision in minimum support price (MSP) of paddy, Deb said.

“Apart from this, we will also demand status quo on the Central share of funds for post-Matric scholarship for Scheduled Caste students,” he said.

Notably, the Chief Minister, during the winter session of the State Assembly on November 20, had appealed to members to unanimously adopt a resolution for providing 33 per cent reservation for women in legislative assemblies and Parliament.

On this issue, Patnaik had a meeting with the party MPs at Naveen Niwas here on December 6.

The party has also decided that a delegation of BJD leaders will meet the leaders of seven national parties and 15 regional parties and discuss the proposal.

Patnaik has also written to the chief ministers of all states and Union Territories for their support to place a bill to this effect during the winter session of Parliament.

The State Government has been demanding Special Category Status since long and pressing the Union Government hard.

The ruling BJD is also irked over denial of special assistance for damages due to very severe cyclone ‘Titli’ though the Centre has provided funds to Tamilnadu and Andhra Pradesh.