(Reopens CAL23)

Patnaik claimed the BJD government in the state had been "unflinchingly wedded" to its promises of bringing solace to the poor and the distress in Odisha. "Introduction of Rs 1 a kg rice is one such attempt to help poor," the chief minister claimed. He claimed that the state government has also revised the minimum wages of all categories of workers and social security measures for the benefits of construction workers. He said Odisha was the only state in the country which could brought down poverty by above 20 per cent point.