Odisha PCC meets Chidambaram, demands special state status

NEW DELHI: A delegation of Odisha Pradesh Congress Committee today met Finance Minister P Chidambaram and demanded a financial package for the state on the lines of special allocation for Bihar and conferment of special category status.

It also demanded setting up of a high-level fast track inquiry against the BJD government in the state to "expose massive mis-utilisation of public funds".

The delegation led by PCC President Niranjan Patnaik hailed Chidambaram's announcement of a policy shift in determining a backward state and noted that the financial dispensation for addressing Odisha's backwardness becomes imperative.

"This policy shift is most welcome and, once finalized, would help deserving backward states like Odisha for substantially higher flow of central funds including conferment of special category status," Patnaik said in a memorandum submitted to the Finance Minister.

"We would urge you to kindly consider Odisha's case for need-based special financial assistance to adequately address our huge developmental deficit and persistent backwardness," he said.