Alleging that successive governments at the Centre have neglected Odisha in various fields, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Wednesday raised a series of demands before the 15th Finance Commission here on Wednesday.
“Our pace of transformation has been remarkable and our growth has been inclusive. Unfortunately, successive Central governments have ensured that Odisha remains at the bottom in teledensity, railway network, banking, highways compounded by neglect in industrial corridor, coal royalty, drinking water and irrigation and cutting off funds for scheduled areas and KBK,” said Mr. Patnaik.
Natural calamities
Added to this is the fact that Odisha faces natural calamities every alternate year, said Mr. Patnaik while addressing a meeting of the Finance Commission here.
“It is in this premise of historic Central neglect and frequent natural calamities that my government has been demanding special category status for Odisha, which will supplement our efforts in transforming the State,” added Mr. Patnaik.
The Chief Minister made a special request for a package of at least ₹1,500 crore to build more cyclone shelters and improve the warning systems. He also demanded increasing tax devolution from 42% to 50%, and making cess and surcharges as part of the divisible pool. He suggested the use of 1971 population and devolution criteria, and extension of GST compensation for another 10 years.