BHUBANESWAR: The Biju Janata Dal (BJD) on Sunday criticised Chhattisgarh Government for taking up unilateral construction activities over Mahanadi river and called upon people of the State to oppose this. A resolution passed in this regard in the extended executive committee meeting of party here criticised the Centre for remaining a silent spectator even though Chhattisgarh has taken up the construction activities without taking permission from the Central Water Commission (CWC). Referring to the Polavaram dam project in Andhra Pradesh which started during the UPA Government, the resolution alleged that it is a conspiracy against Odisha. It criticised the Centre for giving the go-ahead for the project despite strong opposition from Odisha. In the economic resolution, the party came down heavily on the Centre for slashing funds from different welfare schemes. It maintained that the State share in Central taxes has reduced by `3,427 crore in 2015-16 and `4,890 crore in 2016-17.
The State also had to contribute `3,888 crore from its own resources in 2015-16 for implementation of Centrally sponsored schemes because of funds cut. The resolution criticised the delay in revision of coal royalty which was due in 2015. The Centre is also yet to release `447 crore for establishment of five medical colleges and hospitals which the State Government has taken up with its own resources, it said. The resolution on agriculture demanded that the minimum support price of paddy should be raised to `2,500 per quintal. Resolutions on political situation, development of Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes, Biju Birth Centenary celebrations and organisational matters of the party were passed at the meeting.
A 20-minute long audio visual on development activities of BJD Government was shown at the meeting. Vice presidents of the party AU Singhdeo and Surjya Narayan Patro, Excise Minister Damodar Rout, Finance Minister Pradip Kumar Amat, Revenue Minister Bijoyshree Routray, School and Mass Education Minister Debi Prasad Mishra, Agriculture Minister Pradip Maharathi, Food Supply and Consumer Welfare Minister Sanjay Dasburma, Health Minister Atanu Sabyasachi Nayak and other senior leaders addressed the meeting.