Setting a target to develop Odisha as the most developed state in the country by 2036, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik today said the ruling BJD would continue to fight against negligence by successive central governments.
"Beginning with natural calamities to other sectors, successive central governments neglect Odisha. We will continue to fight against this injustice," Patnaik said while addressing a meeting held on the occasion of the ruling BJD's 18th Foundation Day here.
Stating that the state is prone to all kinds of natural calamities like floods, cyclones and droughts, Patnaik said these disasters severely affect Odisha's economy.
However, he said, successive central governments have neglected the state even during calamities. "We will fight for justice," he said.
With a severe drought this time caused due to insufficient and irregular rainfall, Patnaik said, "The ruling party is always with farmers who have been in trouble due to the natural calamity. The state's BJD government has already announced a drought package to help farmers."
Patnaik also said that the farmers undertaking rabi cultivation would be provided with crop loan to the tune of Rs 10,000 crore this time. The Chief Minister also called upon the party workers to ensure that farmers are made aware of the state government's welfare programmes.
Noting that his government has decided to observe the birth centenary of Biju Patnaik next year, the chief minister said it should be organised from the village level to the international level.
"We will also start preparation for Odisha's centenary from Biju Patnaik's birth centenary year," Patnaik said, adding that the Odisha's 80th anniversary will also be observed in 2016.
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Odisha which became a separate state in 1936 would turn 100 years in 2036.
"We will prepare a vision document-Odisha @ 2036 soon in order to bring holistic development of the state," Patnaik said.
The opposition Congress and BJP, hwoever, criticised Patnaik's announcement of a vision document to ensure holistic development of the state by 2036. They termed it as another "damp squib" aimed at misleading people.
"The state government has created many vision documents and made many false promises. The people of the state know how far these visions have been realised," said Leader of Opposition Narasingha Mishra.
BJP state president K V Singhdeo said, "The state government has failed to create any vision document over the past 15 years and by 2036, BJD will cease to exist.
