Naveen asks UPA to rise above party line under federal system

"The Centre should not forget that there are elected governments in states which should be given more power as they understand their responsibilities. Centre should shoulder its responsibility towards development of states", Patnaik said while addressing partymen at a function held here marking 15th Foundation Day of the BJD.

Accusing the Centre of hindering development of states, mostly ruled by non-Congress parties, he said "despite several hurdles, Odisha has progressed in many fields like industrialisation, agriculture and poverty reduction."

Alleging negligence of Odisha by Centre, Patnaik said "the state loses crores of rupees as the Centre does not hike royalty on minerals. The Centre also ignored our demand for imposing tax on the super normal profit made by mine owners."

 

Though the Centre earns over Rs 7,500 crore in railway sector annually from Odisha, it spends less than 10 per cent for development of rail infrastructure in the state, Patnaik claimed protesting cut in allocation in the railway budget.

"It is painful that of the Rs 750 crore sanctioned in this year