Post News Network
Bhubaneswar, March 7: Two days after accusing BJP-led NDA Government of discriminating against Orissa, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik Saturday asked Biju Janata Dal (BJD) MPs to play the role of Opposition in both the Houses of Parliament to safeguard the state’s interests.
‘‘We discussed various issues. The MPs are told to raise issues to benefit the state and its people,’’ Patnaik told reporters after meeting the party MPs from Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha.
Patnaik, who is also president of the regional outfit, chaired the party MPs’ meeting March 5 and called for intensifying fight against the Centre. Patnaik has alleged the Centre has ignored Orissa’s interest both in the 14th Finance Commission recommendations and in the 2015-16 General Budget.
‘‘Is it not a discrimination on political line?’’ Patnaik had asked while criticising the Centre for denying special assistance for Orissa even as it announced packages for Bihar and West Bengal in the Budget.
To a question, Patnaik said there is no difference in BJD’s Parliamentary Party on opposition to the Centre. “There is no such difference in BJD Parliamentary Party,” he said.
The party’s leader in Lok Sabha Bhartuhari Mahtab said, ‘‘We will play the role of constructive opposition in Parliament. There should be no doubt over the BJD’s role as we are sitting in opposition bench.’’
Mahtab said the meeting discussed issues pertaining to Orissa and the role of BJD MPs. ‘‘While the Prime Minister claims that the Centre has raised the share of states somewhere even up to 62 per cent, this is pure mathematical jugglery. We will place fact-based documents in the House,’’ Mahtab said.
He said though BJP leaders are claiming that Orissa would get above Rs 1 lakh crore from the auction of coal and iron ore mines, the reality is different.
“Orissa is likely to get Rs 500 to Rs 700 crore from coal block auction. Rest Rs 99,500 crore goes to other states and not Orissa,’’ Mahtab claimed.
Bolangir MP Kalikesh Narayan Singhdeo said his party has objections to several clauses of land acquisition bill. “We had moved amendments in the Lok Sabha. We will do the same in the Rajya Sabha too,” Singhdeo said.
However, reiterating the BJP’s claim, Union petroleum minister Dharmendra Pradhan said, “The Centre has raised the share of states from 32 to 42 per cent and providing other funds on Centrally-sponsored schemes which will reach 62 per cent.”