Centre supportive to Odisha, no injustice done: PM

Advises party leaders to look after flagship programmes

PTI | January 3, 2012



Claiming that UPA government has all along been "supportive and sympathetic" towards Odisha, prime minister Manmohan Singh on Tuesday told Congress leaders that no injustice was done to the state as alleged by chief minister Naveen Patnaik.

The prime minister stated this during an interaction session with a selected group of party leaders at Congress Bhavan in Bhubaneshwar, state Congress president Niranjan Patnaik apprised reporters.

"The centre has never done any injustice to Odisha. Rather the UPA government is supportive to the state," another party leader P Harichandan said quoting the prime minister.

To party leaders' allegation against the Naveen Patnaik government in the state about misuse and diversion of central funds, the prime minister said he was aware of everything happening in the state.

"The prime minister advised party leaders to monitor proper implementation of certain flagship programmes like PMGSY, MGNRGA and others," he said adding that Dr Singh had assured to take proper action at appropriate time if allegations were proved.

Former minister Narashingha Mishra, who drew attention of the prime minister towards delay in granting permission by the law ministry for opening two circuit benches of the High Court, Dr Singh assured that he would take up the matter with the ministry, he said.

When the party leaders drew attention of the prime minister stating that the ruling BJD was taking mileage in absence of special grant for the poverty stricken KBK region, the PM said "The KBK issue is very much in my mind."

In a 7-page memorandum to the prime minister, OPCC demanded CBI probe into a series of scandals like mining scam, coal scam, Dal scam, land scam and alleged corruption in key central flagship programmes. The party also demanded extension of the CBI probe into MGNREGA to the entire state.

"We have also demanded formulation of a special central economic package for the tribal and Maoist prone districts of the state," said OPCC president Niranjan Patnaik.

The nine-point charter of demands made by OPCC included appointment of central monitoring committees to monitor implementation of centre's flagship programmes, sanction of an IIM, an IIIT, a central Tribal university in a tribal district, establishment of permanent bench of Orissa High Court in western and southern parts of the state and enhance mining royalty.

"We have also demanded provision of higher allocation for railway network and timely completion of the projects," Harichandan said while describing the rail scenario in the state.

Comments

 

Other News

Who checks the books?

I read about the news about the Coimbatore library over coffee this morning. On the face of it, the headline was about a political ‘war’ between the DMK and TVK. But what stayed with me was something much more important than the blame game behind what had transpired. A writer walking through

Development paradox: Falling poverty miracle and an inequality problem

India’s reduction in poverty over the past decade is a development achievement of considerable significance. The World Bank’s April 2026 ‘India Development Update’ estimates that the share of Indians living below the international extreme-poverty line of $3.00 per person per day i

In Arunachal, a river we call mother

In Arunachal Pradesh, the Siang is not just a river. For many of us, especially the Adi people, it is part of our family. Our grandparents fished in it. Children learned to swim in it. Our farms drink from it. When someone says a huge dam will be built on it, we do not hear the word "project".

A new retelling of the Mahabharata delves into key moments

In a time when every decision carries consequences and questions of ambition, power, loyalty, identity and moral choice continue to shape our lives, Dr. Arun Krishnan’s new book, ‘Mahakshana’ (Penguin India) offers a strikingly relevant retelling of the Mahabharata.  

Cabinet approves viability gap funding to develop grid-scale energy storage systems

The Union Cabinet, chaired by PM Narendra Modi, has approved the Viability Gap Funding (VGF) Scheme for Development of Grid-Scale Energy Storage Systems, with a total financial support of Rs.14,500 crore for the period FY 2026-27 to FY 2030-31. The scheme aims to support the development o

Cabinet creates a pathway to absorb Agniveers in Defence Forces

An objective assessment in terms of organisational requirements and operational efficiency has brought out the outstanding performance of Agniveers in terms of skills, motivation levels, physical fitness and technological prowess. As envisaged earlier, based on merit, 25% of Agniveers will be offered reg

Upcoming Conferences



-->

Archives

Current Issue

Opinion

Facebook Twitter Google Plus Linkedin Subscribe Newsletter

Twitter