BJD to raise pending cyclone, drought assistance issues in parliament

BHUBANESWAR: The Biju Janata Dal (BJD) on Sunday decided to raise the issue of timely completion of renovation and repair of Srimandir, pending assistance for cyclone Phailin and drought and setting of five new medical colleges in the budget session of Parliament beginning on February 23.

After holding the parliamentary party meeting at Naveen Nivas here, BJD supremo and chief minister Naveen Patnaik said the party has decided to raise the issue of timely completion of renovation and repair of Jagannath temple by ASI.

Besides, pending drought and cyclone Phailin assistance, setting up proposed five medical colleges, special category status to Odisha and recovery of financial loss due to setting up NITI Ayoga would be raised in the parliament.

“I had discussions with my party MPs to be raised by them in the ensuing budget session of the Parliament. They have been asked to pursue the completion of the timely repair and restoration of Lord Jagannath temple in Puri with the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) and the concerned ministries.

Besides, the release of dues pending towards drought of 2015, cyclone Phailin of 2013, non-release of Central share towards completion of five new medical colleges,” said chief minister and BJD president Naveen Patnaik after holding the BJD Parliamentary Party meeting here.

He said modification of existing rice and wheat allotment ratio to suit the needs of people under the National Food Security Act (NFSA) would also be raised.

BJD MP from Bolangir Kalikesh Narayan Singhdeo the party will demand a special package for Odisha.

“As the centre has historically neglected Odisha, grant of a special package and special category state status would help the state overcome the inequality in the development,” he said.

Reacting to the arrest of JNU students’ union president Kanhaiya Kumar on sedition charges and inaction of the Delhi Police to refrain the lawyers from attacking the university students inside the court premises, Singhdeo said the fact will come out of the investigation.

The BJD parliamentary party meeting was attended by 25 MPs – 19 from Lok Sabha, six from Rajya Sabha. BJD MP from Mayurbhanj Ramchandra Hansda could not attend the meeting as he was in jail for his alleged link with a Ponzi scheme firm.