CM Naveen Patnaik seeks Rs 3,160 cr allocation in Rail Budget [Business Standard]

Odisha Chief Minister and Biju Janata Dal (BJD) supremo Naveen Patnaik today urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to allocate Rs 3,160 crore to the state in the Railway Budget besides reiterating his demand to keep in abeyance the controversial Polavaram irrigation project.
Patnaik accompanied by his party’s Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha MPs, called on the Prime Minister to present Odisha’s demands to the newly elected BJP led NDA government. “We presented a number of demands including our long standing demand for special category status for Odisha. We have also sought revision in mineral royalty rates and demanded that the royalty rate be revised to 15 per cent (from 10 per cent presently). In addition, we have urged the Prime Minister to allow additional 0.5 million BPL (below poverty line) families beneficiaries under the Indira Gandhi National Pension Scheme to cover left out BPL persons,” Patnaik told media persons after meeting Modi.
The BJD chief, however, denied talks on the possibility of his party joining the Modi-led NDA coalition at the Centre. Drawing the Prime Minister’s attention to the Polavaram project in Seemandhra, Patnaik said states like Odisha, Telengana, Chhattisgarh and Maharashtra were concerned about the adverse consequences of the project including submergence and flooding. Patnaik said the project would affect the vulnerable people living in Malkangiri district.
Raising the issue of lopsided development in Odisha’s mineral rich regions, he said, “The rich minerals of Odisha are being exploited by a few mining entities who enjoy super normal profits and the state is not being adequately compensated for the negative externalities caused by mining. The state is losing over Rs 5 crore every day because of non-revision of royalty rates on minerals which were due for revision in August 2012.”
Patnaik also pitched for introduction of mineral resource rent tax to ensure that windfall gains from mineral exploitation percolate to the affected locals. Justifying Odisha’s demand in Rail Budget, he said, “Till date, seven districts of Odisha have no railway network at all despite the fact that the state contributes over Rs 14,000 crore annually or about one tenth of the total revenues earned by the Indian Railways.
The previously announced rail projects like wagon factory in Ganjam district and wagon maintenance workshop in Kalahandi be implemented, he said. For Nabakalebar, a ritual followed for centuries at the Jagannath Temple, Puri, Patnaik urged the Prime Minister to approve the additional central assistance of Rs 1,397 crore sought by the state government from the Planning Commission. Other demands made by the chief minister are inclusion of Sambalpuri/Kosali and Ho languages in the Eight Schedule of the Constitution and facilitating global flight operations from the Biju Patnaik international airport in Bhubaneswar.

CM Naveen Patnaik to meet Venkaiah Naidu, RailWay Minister Sadananda Gowda today [Odishadiary]

Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik will meet Union Minister of Urban Development Venkaiah Naidu and RailWay Minister Sadananda Gowda today in New Delhi. 

CM Patnaik will raise issues of the state with both the Union Ministers. CM Patnaik will also discuss about the Khurda-Bolangir Railway Line project and Railway projects in the state. 

It should be noted that on Monday CM Naveen called on PM Narendra Modi and Finance Minister Arun Jaitely in New Delhi.  Along with him a delegation of MPs from BJD met the Prime Minister Narendra Modi. 

CM Naveen Patnaik meets the Union Finance minister Arun Jaitley, raises a host of issues... [Odisha Sun Times]

Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik today met with Union Finance minister Arun Jaitley and urged him to either fully compensate the state for the Central Sales Tax (CST) loss or restore the CST rate to original 4% till implementation of Goods & Services Tax (GST), sources said.

Odisha CM meeting with Union Finance minister (PIB pic)

While asking the Finance minister for the timely release of Central assistance Patnaik demanded the opening of commercial banks in 4620 unbanked gram panchayats of Odisha, sources said.

Patnaik also drew the attention of the Union Finance Minister on short release of Plan Grants to the State. He said that under the Accelerated Irrigation Benefit Programme (AIBP), the state received only Rs.38 crore against actual expenditure of Rs.1084 crore during 2012-13 and has not received any amount during 2013-14 against the actual expenditure of Rs.885 crore.

Similarly, under Central MGNREGA scheme, the state received only Rs.757 crore against the approved Central share of Rs.1363 crore during 2013-14 fiscal, Patnaik said.

He observed that short releases by the Central Government have adversely impacted the fiscal health of the state and the implementation of state plan schemes/ Central sector schemes and urged upon him to ensure timely and adequate release of Central assistance for plan schemes.

The chief minister brought to the notice of the Union Finance minister the fact that till date Odisha has as many as 4620 Gram Panchayats and 48,000 villages which do not have banks.

He said only about 100 brick and mortar branches of banks have been set up in Odisha since April, 2012 as against the target of 2400 branches as per the RBI guidelines.

Patnaik impressed upon the Union minister to issue suitable instructions to RBI and Scheduled Commercial Banks to cover all the 4620 gram panchayats with brick & mortar bank branches during the 12th Plan period itself.

Patnaik apprised the Union Finance minister about inadequate crop loan disbursement by commercial banks in Odisha which has remained pitiably low – between 30% to 35% – during the last three years, in sharp contrast to their national level share of over 80%.

Chief minister also said that Odisha has one of the highest levels of poverty and the natural calamities severely affect the farmers every year, destroying their crops, houses and cattle and urged upon the Union Finance minister for augmentation of commercial bank credit to the farm sector in Odisha.

Patnaik raised the issue of non-revision of royalty rate on major minerals since August 13, 2009 and said that Odisha is losing over Rs.5 crore everyday on account of delays in revising the royalty rate upwards from 10% to 15% as recommended by the Study Group set up by the Central government.

He impressed upon the Union Finance Minister to revise the royalty rate to 15% without further delay so that 3 poor mineral-bearing states including Odisha get adequately compensated for the negative externalities caused by mining activities.

Finance minister Jaitley appreciated the genuine concerns of the state while recognizing that short release of funds by the Central government during recent years has indeed impacted many states adversely and assured the Chief Minister that he will issue necessary instructions to improving the level of financial inclusion of the state including opening up of new brick & mortar bank branches in the gram panchayats and villages not covered yet and disbursement of credit by commercial banks to farmers.

He assured that all other issues including revision of royalty rate on minerals and compensation to the state for the revenue loss incurred on account of reduction in CST rates will receive the attention of the Centre on a priority basis.

Earlier in the day, Patnaik met Prime Minister Narendra Modi at his office along with 24 MPs of his party to press for the various demands of the state which included longstanding demand of special category status for the state, stalling Polavaram project and raising of royalty on minerals.

Patnaik has described his meeting with the Prime Minister as “positive”.

CM Naveen Patnaik urges PM to revise mineral royalty by at least 15%, impose super profit tax on miners [The Financial Express]

Odisha CM Naveen Patnaik on Monday urged PM Narendra Modi to revise mineral royalty which has been due since 2009 by a minimum of 15% and impose Mineral Resource Rent Tax on windfall profits made by mine owners. He also demanded that Odisha be accorded special category state status and that the Polavaram Project be kept on hold. "The PM was positive about the demands,” Patnaik said, while briefing mediapersons after meeting Modi along with all BJD MPs in Delhi on Monday. He added that the PM was also positive towards other demands of the state which included allocation of additional five lakh BPL cards, a budgetary provision of R3,100 crore in the railway budget and launch of international flights from Biju Patnaik airport. The Odisha government has set a three-month deadline to clear at least seven renewal mining lease applications of Tata Steel, SAIL and Odisha Mining Corporation (OMC). The mines are Joda East, Joda West, Bamebari and Katamati of Tata Steel, Barsuan, Kalta and Bolani of SAIL, and Kurmita of OMC. These mines are among the 26 mines that have been shut since May 16. State mines director Deepak Mohanty said the government has asked the three companies to obtain all statutory clearances in three months. Assocham has, meanwhile, urged the Centre to ensure iron ore availability to domestic steel and sponge iron manufacturers by augmenting the production of National Mineral Development Corporation and imposing 30% export duty on iron ore pellets. The Centre has convened a meeting on June 5 to take stock of the situation.

CM Naveen Patnaik and others condole the untimely death of Mr. Gopinath Munde [OdishaDiary]

 

Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, Union Tribal Affairs Ministers Jual Oram, Union Minister of State for Petroleum and Natural Gas Dharmendra Pradhan and other Odisha leaders condole death of untimely passing away of the Union Minister for Rural Development, Gopinath Munde. 

Union Minister Jual Oram has said that Shri Munde was amongst the most prominent political leaders of Maharashtra who had a long and illustrious public life during which he served his state and the country in various capacities with great distinction. In his departure, we have lost a distinguished public servant whose absence will be felt by one and all. 

Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan  has expressed shock and grief over the death of Union Minister Shri Gopinath Munde.  In his condolence message, Pradhan has said, in the sudden demise of Shri Munde, the Nation has lost a promising leader with vision for taking the country to great heights.

- See more at: http://www.orissadiary.com/CurrentNews.asp?id=50469#sthash.xjOhzujD.dpuf

Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, Union Tribal Affairs Ministers Jual Oram, Union Minister of State for Petroleum and Natural Gas Dharmendra Pradhan and other Odisha leaders condole death of untimely passing away of the Union Minister for Rural Development, Gopinath Munde. 

Union Minister Jual Oram has said that Shri Munde was amongst the most prominent political leaders of Maharashtra who had a long and illustrious public life during which he served his state and the country in various capacities with great distinction. In his departure, we have lost a distinguished public servant whose absence will be felt by one and all. 

Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan  has expressed shock and grief over the death of Union Minister Shri Gopinath Munde.  In his condolence message, Pradhan has said, in the sudden demise of Shri Munde, the Nation has lost a promising leader with vision for taking the country to great heights.

- See more at: http://www.orissadiary.com/CurrentNews.asp?id=50469#sthash.xjOhzujD.dpuf

Odisha Cheif Minister Shri Naveen Patnaik, Union tribal affairs minister Jual Oram, Union minister of state for Petroleum and Natural Gas Dharmendra Pradhan and other Odisha leaders condole the untimely death of the Union minister for Rural Development, Shri Gopinath Munde. 

Shri Munde was amongst the most prominent political leaders of Maharashtra who had a long and illustrious public life during which he served his state and the country in various capacities with great distinction. In his departure, we have lost a distinguished public servant whose absence will be felt by one and all - See more at: http://www.orissadiary.com/CurrentNews.asp?id=50469#sthash.xjOhzujD.dpuf

isha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, Union Tribal Affairs Ministers Jual Oram, Union Minister of State for Petroleum and Natural Gas Dharmendra Pradhan and other Odisha leaders condole death of untimely passing away of the Union Minister for Rural Development, Gopinath Munde. 

Union Minister Jual Oram has said that Shri Munde was amongst the most prominent political leaders of Maharashtra who had a long and illustrious public life during which he served his state and the country in various capacities with great distinction. In his departure, we have lost a distinguished public servant whose absence will be felt by one and all. 

Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan  has expressed shock and grief over the death of Union Minister Shri Gopinath Munde.  In his condolence message, Pradhan has said, in the sudden demise of Shri Munde, the Nation has lost a promising leader with vision for taking the country to great

- See more at: http://www.orissadiary.com/CurrentNews.asp?id=50469#sthash.xjOhzujD.dpuf

isha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, Union Tribal Affairs Ministers Jual Oram, Union Minister of State for Petroleum and Natural Gas Dharmendra Pradhan and other Odisha leaders condole death of untimely passing away of the Union Minister for Rural Development, Gopinath Munde. 

Union Minister Jual Oram has said that Shri Munde was amongst the most prominent political leaders of Maharashtra who had a long and illustrious public life during which he served his state and the country in various capacities with great distinction. In his departure, we have lost a distinguished public servant whose absence will be felt by one and all. 

Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan  has expressed shock and grief over the death of Union Minister Shri Gopinath Munde.  In his condolence message, Pradhan has said, in the sudden demise of Shri Munde, the Nation has lost a promising leader with vision for taking the country to great

- See more at: http://www.orissadiary.com/CurrentNews.asp?id=50469#sthash.xjOhzujD.dpuf

isha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, Union Tribal Affairs Ministers Jual Oram, Union Minister of State for Petroleum and Natural Gas Dharmendra Pradhan and other Odisha leaders condole death of untimely passing away of the Union Minister for Rural Development, Gopinath Munde. 

Union Minister Jual Oram has said that Shri Munde was amongst the most prominent political leaders of Maharashtra who had a long and illustrious public life during which he served his state and the country in various capacities with great distinction. In his departure, we have lost a distinguished public servant whose absence will be felt by one and all. 

Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan  has expressed shock and grief over the death of Union Minister Shri Gopinath Munde.  In his condolence message, Pradhan has said, in the sudden demise of Shri Munde, the Nation has lost a promising leader with vision for taking the country to great

- See more at: http://www.orissadiary.com/CurrentNews.asp?id=50469#sthash.xjOhzujD.dpuf

Some said, Shri Munde was amongst the most prominent political leaders of Maharashtra who had a long and illustrious public life. 

Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, Union Tribal Affairs Ministers Jual Oram, Union Minister of State for Petroleum and Natural Gas Dharmendra Pradhan and other Odisha leaders condole death of untimely passing away of the Union Minister for Rural Development, Gopinath Munde. 

Union Minister Jual Oram has said that Shri Munde was amongst the most prominent political leaders of Maharashtra who had a long and illustrious public life during which he served his state and the country in various capacities with great distinction. In his departure, we have lost a distinguished public servant whose absence will be felt by one and all. 

Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan  has expressed shock and grief over the death of Union Minister Shri Gopinath Munde.  In his condolence message, Pradhan has said, in the sudden demise of Shri Munde, the Nation has lost a promising leader with vision for taking the country to great heights.

- See more at: http://www.orissadiary.com/CurrentNews.asp?id=50469#sthash.xjOhzujD.dpu

 

Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, Union Tribal Affairs Ministers Jual Oram, Union Minister of State for Petroleum and Natural Gas Dharmendra Pradhan and other Odisha leaders condole death of untimely passing away of the Union Minister for Rural Development, Gopinath Munde. 

Union Minister Jual Oram has said that Shri Munde was amongst the most prominent political leaders of Maharashtra who had a long and illustrious public life during which he served his state and the country in various capacities with great distinction. In his departure, we have lost a distinguished public servant whose absence will be felt by one and all. 

Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan  has expressed shock and grief over the death of Union Minister Shri Gopinath Munde.  In his condolence message, Pradhan has said, in the sudden demise of Shri Munde, the Nation has lost a promising leader with vision for taking the country to great height

- See more at: http://www.orissadiary.com/CurrentNews.asp?id=50469#sthash.xjOhzujD.dpuf

 

 

Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, Union Tribal Affairs Ministers Jual Oram, Union Minister of State for Petroleum and Natural Gas Dharmendra Pradhan and other Odisha leaders condole death of untimely passing away of the Union Minister for Rural Development, Gopinath Munde. 

Union Minister Jual Oram has said that Shri Munde was amongst the most prominent political leaders of Maharashtra who had a long and illustrious public life during which he served his state and the country in various capacities with great distinction. In his departure, we have lost a distinguished public servant whose absence will be felt by one and all. 

Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan  has expressed shock and grief over the death of Union Minister Shri Gopinath Munde.  In his condolence message, Pradhan has said, in the sudden demise of Shri Munde, the Nation has lost a promising leader with vision for taking the country to great heights.

- See more at: http://www.orissadiary.com/CurrentNews.asp?id=50469#sthash.xjOhzujD.dpuf

Grant "Special Status" to Odisha : Naveen Patnaik demands from PM Narendra Modi [OneIndia News]

Odisha Chief Minister and Biju Janata Dal (BJD) President Naveen Patnaik met Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday in New Delhi and demanded "special category status" for his state. 

After meeting with Modi, Patnaik told mediapersons, "We just met the PM and brought out a number of demands for Odisha especially special status and mineral royalty." 

"The PM was quite positive to our demands. We didn't discuss joining NDA", he said. 67-year-old Patnaik was accompanied by 24 MPs of the BJD. 

Before meeting with the PM, Patnaik had said, "There is no thought of BJD joining NDA." 

Patnaik was sworn-in as chief minister of Odisha for the fourth term on May 21 this year.

Odisha CM to meet PM today, will raise Special Status issue [The Indian Express]

Orissa Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik will raise the demands for special category status, revision in mining royalty rates and push to pending railway projects when he meets Prime Minister Narendra Modi Monday afternoon.

Naveen, who is in New Delhi since last week, is slated to meet Modi at 12.15 Monday with all the 20 Lok Sabha and four Rajya Sabha members of the party. Incidentally, Nave-en’s meeting with Modi comes a day ahead of Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Jayalalithaa’s meeting with the PM.

Leader of BJD Parliamentary Party in Lok Sabha, Bha-rtruhari Mahtab said Naveen will raise the issue of special category status for Orissa, an old demand that was routinely rebuffed by the last UPA government. Naveen would also reassert Orissa’s objection to Polavaram multi-purpose irrigation project as it threatens to submerge 130-odd villages in Malkangiri district. The state has already moved the Supreme Court in this regard.

Apart from those two demands, Naveen will also seek a raise in mining royalty rates, pending for revision since 2012. With 140 of the 170-odd iron ore and manganese mines closed in the aftermath of the mining scam, the state’s revenue is expected to take a major hit. Naveen will also urge the PM for more budgetary allocation to the pending railway projects in the state and and request him to review the decision regarding implementation of the National Crop Insurance Programme.

Regarding speculation of BJD joining NDA, Mahtab sa-id his party will approach the meeting with a positive mind. “We expect the PM to reciprocate our gesture,” he said.