No special status to Odisha!

New Delhi, Jul. 4: Union Government is taking many bold decisions for maintaining the integrity of the nation. Now, the central government has not granted the status of special category state to Odisha.

As per the response of MoS of Home Ministry, Nityanand Rai, “The 14th Finance Commission has made any distinction between Special and General Category states”. He also added the status of special category states doesn’t exist today.

Mr. Rai answered the question asked by BJD Rajya Sabha Member, Prasanna Acharya.

Rai’s answer also includes total assistance provided to help the state’s recovery from Cyclone Fani.

Mr. Rai said, “In order to support the people of Odisha affected by cyclone Fani, the central Government has released in advance as the assistance of Rs. 340.875 crore from SDRF on April 29”. He also said, further after the visit of PM Modi to Odisha, central govt. Released additional assistance of Rs. 1000 crore to government of Odisha on May 7.

Center also sent IMCT, Inter-Ministerial Central Team. the center was waiting for the which it would provide further financial assistance and also take into consideration and the assistance sought by the state government from NDRF. He said, “upon the receipt of the report from IMCT, further financial assistance under NDRF will be considered as per laid down by procedure.

Odisha CM Naveen Patnaik met PM Narendra Modi and demanded special category status for Odisha. According to a letter written by Patnaik, Odisha was devastated due to natural calamity, the cyclone fani. CM Naveen Patnaik asked for 'special status for a specific period'.