Odisha CM Naveen Patnaik reiterates special state status at meeting with NITI Aayog vice-chairman

Bhubaneswar: Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik took up issues of Odisha’s interest with NITI Aayog Vice Chairman Shri Rajiv Kumar Highlights from the discussion:

• Restoration of central assistance for Special Plan for KBK, IAP & BRGF Districts
• Special Category State status for fast tracking ongoing development activities
• Revision of long overdue royalty on coal
• Sharing pattern of Centrally Sponsored Schemes on par with North-Eastern & Himalayan states
• Central share in State Disaster Response Fund should be increased from 75% to 90% w.e.f. 1 July, 2017
• Advanced intimation of annual allocation under Centrally Sponsored Schemes, funds released should not be less than allocation
• Population range norm for upgrading existing roads to be relaxed to 100 & above in 38 LWE blocks
• Special attention to financial inclusion in 4,376 unbanked GPs, mobile connectivity to 11,200 villages & broadband to all GPs especially in LWE areas
• Adequate funds for development & maintenance of National Highways
• Expediting construction of rail lines for which the State Government is providing 50% funds & land free of cost
• Extension of Amritsar-Kolkata industrial corridor to Vishakhapatnam for strategic linking between various industrial corridors
• Modification in Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana, modelled on Odisha’s flagship scheme MAMTA, for wider coverage

Chief Minister Shri Patnaik urged upon NITI Aayog Vice Chairman to consider Odisha’s just demands, crucial to overall development and welfare of the people of the state.

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