BHUBANESWAR: The Biju Janata Dal (BJD) will reiterate its demand for special category state (SCS) status to Odisha during the budget session of Parliament which begins from February 23.
This was decided at the BJD parliamentary party meeting presided over by chief minister Naveen Patnaik here today. The chief minister said he discussed with party MPs the issues to be raised in the ensuing session of Parliament. The MPs have been asked to pursue the repair of Jagmohan of Jagannath Temple so that it will be completed in time.
Other issues in the agenda of the BJD includes release of assistance for last year's drought and cyclone Phailin of 2013, he said and added that non-release of central share for setting up five new medical colleges and change in wheat and rice allotment ratio under National Food Security Act (NFSA) will also be raised by the MPs.
Leader of the BJD parliamentary party Bhatruhari Mahatab said that the party will also raise the Polavaram issue during the session. Referring to the JNU issue, Mahatab said, "we are critical about the manner in which it was handled. Besides, the party also does not support the attack on students and journalists at the Patiala House Court," he said.
Mahatab said the BJD wants Parliament to function so that there can be debate on different issues. He said the party will demand introduction of green tax for its support to the Goods and Services Tax (GST) Bill. The demand for green tax will also be raised in the Rajya Sabha, he said. Party MP Kalikesh Singhdeo said the party will raise the issue of completion of different Railway projects in the State on time.
The chief minister has given a new proposal to the Centre to take up work for new routes, Singhdeo said and added that he has also requested he Centre to expedite the completion of Khurda-Balangir railway line and setting up of a railway wagon repair workshop.