BHUBANESWAR: Union Minister for Parliamentary Affairs and Urban Development M Venkaiah Naidu on Wednesday dismissed the opposition Congress allegation of a secret deal between Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Biju Janata Dal (BJD) to slow down the CBI investigation into the chit fund scam in the State.
“We do not have any secret deal with BJD. We are working for speedy development of the State,” the Union Minister told reporters here.
Naidu asserted that the Centre has no intention of misusing CBI for political purpose and he had no information about investigation into the chit fund scam getting slowed down.
The Centre is, however, interested in speedy development of Odisha and other States, the Union Minister said.
Refuting allegations that Odisha will get reduced allocation of funds as per the recommendation of the 14th Finance Commission, Naidu said the State will get more than Rs 1.2 lakh crore as 42 per cent of Central taxes will come to the State against 32 per cent earlier.
The 14th Finance Commission (FC) has recommended Rs 1.98 lakh crore for the State towards share in Central taxes and duties for 2015-20 as against Rs 78,000 crore recommended by the 13th FC.
“The State will get Rs 1.2 lakh crore more than what it got earlier. All States, including Odisha, will benefit substantially and it will give the State a lot of flexibility to decide its priorities and work accordingly,” he said.
Besides, Odisha will be a major beneficiary of the new MMDR Act which allows auction of mines, he added.
Naidu appealed to the ruling BJD to support the amended land Bill in Parliament as the State also requires land for development of infrastructure, roads, ports and other ventures.
The Congress, which ruined the country for 50 long years, does not want the NDA Government to succeed and hence is putting obstacles on the path of development.
“The non-Congress governments should understand the Congress game plan and not fall prey to its tactics,” Naidu said and sought their support in implementing the reform programmes of the Centre.
Asked which cities of Odisha will be covered under Smart city programme, Naidu said it will be the job of the State Government to decide. It will be a PPP (public-private-partnership) model, and States will shortlist the names of cities, after which a city challenge system will select the winners.
At least one city will have to come from every State. Contours of the project have been decided and it has been estimated that Rs 40 lakh crore will be required to provide basic infrastructure in urban areas. Naidu addressed a public meeting in the city before his departure from the State.