Odisha passes Resolution on Special Category Status

Odisha assembly has unanimously passed a resolution demanding the Centre for granting special category status to the state. The resolution was moved by Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, who raised questions on the manner the UPA government is dealing with the issue of declaring Odisha as special category state.

Naveen also urged other members to unanimous support the resolution for the special category status for the state. While speaking on the motion in the House on Thursday, Naveen said that his government has been demanding for the special category status since 2001.

He questioned Centre’s intention to revise the criteria for the special category status. He asked, what is the necessity of making a budget statement one day and then following up with announcements about one State on one day and another State after a Week? Is it not sheer political bargaining? He had earlier urged the National Development Council to revise and redefine the criteria for such status to the state.

The resolution was also supported by all political parties.

It can be noted that the demand for such status to the state was first raised at the National Development Council in 1979. Since then, the effort continued in 1990s. Earlier, the 10th and 11th Odisha Legislative Assemblies had adopted unanimous resolutions urging The Centre to declare Odisha as a special category state.