Naveen Patnaik questions Centre on why Odisha not given special status

BERHAMPUR: Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik today questioned the Centre as to why Odisha was not being accorded special category status ignoring its long standing demand while the same was given to newly-created Seemandhra.

"We have been demanding for special category status to Odisha for a long time. The Centre ignored our demand on the plea that the state does not meet required criteria. In which criteria has Seemandhra been accorded the same status?" Patnaik asked during a public meet at Chhatrapur near here.

Patnaik appealed to the people to intensify their protest against Centre's "discriminatory and apathetic attitude" towards Odisha.

Despite the Centre's discrimination towards Odisha, Patnaik said the state had got recognisation in national and International level for its works in different sectors.

Later, the CM laid foundation stone for the multi-purpose cyclone shelter and flood shelters at Chhatapur and Ganjam.

"The fishermen in Ganjam district have severely hit due to the cyclone Phailin in October last year. We are planning to construct around 2000 cyclone-prone houses for them this year," he said.