New Delhi: Highlighting the developmental initiatives taken by the state government and lauding Odisha’s potential to become one of the most developed states in South Asia, Biju Janata Dal (BJD) in the Parliament Monday sought financial autonomy to the state.
Speaking on behalf of the party during discussion on Supplementary Demands for Grants for 2018-19 in the Lok Sabha, BJD Parliamentary party leader Bhartruhari Mahtab said Odisha is an emerging state and maintaining financial stability despite suffering natural calamities.
“Give us financial autonomy. We will transform Odisha into the most advance state in South Asia,” Mahtab said.
Taking a dig at the Union government for the rise in bank frauds, the Cuttack MP said, “The surfeit in frauds in banking system shows how bad the governance is. Whether this government has any role in governance? What steps have been taken to improve governance in banks?”
Welcoming the changes in Goods and Services Tax (GST) slab, Mahtab reiterated Odisha’s demand to reduce GST on Kendu leaves.
“Odisha has been requesting to shift kendu leaves from the GST slab of 18 per cent to 5 per cent. It is a miner forest produce collected by tribal people. Since July 2017, 18 per cent GST has been levied on kendu leaves. Prior to GST, there were 5 per cent VAT on it. The GST rate is too high. I request the minister to reduce the GST rate,” said Mahtab.
He further said over eight million people have been lifted from poverty line in the state. Odisha has become third largest contributor to the public distribution system.
The Cuttack MP hailed the KALIA scheme launched by Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik to provide financial assistance to farmers and said it would benefit the marginal farmers.
“Why can’t the Centre start such an initiative to benefit the farming community,” he maintained.
Raising the issue of paying royalty to Odisha from the auctioning of coal blocks, Mahtab said only Rs 370 crore was paid to the state in the last three years. The royalty has not been revised.
“Mahanadi Coal Fields Ltd. earns around Rs 20,000-crore profit every year. What we got in return – pollution, air is polluted, water is polluted and river is polluted,” he stated.
