Will Odisha get Special Category Status?
Accordingly from the last 5 years, bifurcated Andhra Pradesh is fighting with the center to gain the special category status to have a speedy development and race like the rest of the states in the nation. Presently demand for 'special status' already exists in states like Bihar, Uttarakhand, Odisha and some states of North india, but, the kind of damage done by Cyclone Fani in the recent past has made Odisha CM press for the special status demand again.
Recently the CM of state naveen Patnaik sought an assistance from centre in view of continuous cyclone storms every year- Phailin, HudHud, Thitli and Fani now. Apparently the chief of BJD appeals centre to consider plight of Odisha, as these cyclones have heavily damaged state. Reportedly according to him, the relief assistance offered by centre is of very little use and those funds are not fully sufficient to bring state back into normalcy. Perhaps in the end, it is state govt financing relief work every time and it is burning a big hole to state's budget. Further, the state cannot focus on delivering government schemes promised to the people.
Moreover PM's modi announced 1000 Cr for relief work of Cyclone Fani, but these funds are insufficient for restoration work, according to Patnaik who also said he would reach out to world bank for further financial aid. Hence highlighting that an insurance firm estimated the loss by Cyclone Fani could be at Rs 3500 Cr, Odisha CM demanded centre to announce the special category status tag to their state. Further with an existing and intense demand from AP already, it remains to be seen how this request will be taken up by the centre and if naveen Patnaik becomes part of the new government in delhi, if would further make chances of AP special status demand meagre.
Recently the CM of state naveen Patnaik sought an assistance from centre in view of continuous cyclone storms every year- Phailin, HudHud, Thitli and Fani now. Apparently the chief of BJD appeals centre to consider plight of Odisha, as these cyclones have heavily damaged state. Reportedly according to him, the relief assistance offered by centre is of very little use and those funds are not fully sufficient to bring state back into normalcy. Perhaps in the end, it is state govt financing relief work every time and it is burning a big hole to state's budget. Further, the state cannot focus on delivering government schemes promised to the people.
Moreover PM's modi announced 1000 Cr for relief work of Cyclone Fani, but these funds are insufficient for restoration work, according to Patnaik who also said he would reach out to world bank for further financial aid. Hence highlighting that an insurance firm estimated the loss by Cyclone Fani could be at Rs 3500 Cr, Odisha CM demanded centre to announce the special category status tag to their state. Further with an existing and intense demand from AP already, it remains to be seen how this request will be taken up by the centre and if naveen Patnaik becomes part of the new government in delhi, if would further make chances of AP special status demand meagre.