New Delhi/Bhubaneswar, February 13: On the final day of the Budget Session, BJD Rajya Sabha MP Sasmit Patra renewed the demand for Special Category Status for Odisha, criticizing the central government for ignoring the state's needs.
Speaking in the Rajya Sabha, Patra said, "I stand here not just as a representative of Odisha, but as the voice of 4.5 crore people neglected in this Union Budget. This is not just oversight—it is an injustice."
He reminded the House that the BJP, in its 2014 election manifesto, had promised Special Category Status for Odisha. "Eleven years later, where is that promise? Where is the justice?" he questioned.
Patra emphasized that BJD and its former Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik have consistently pushed for this status over the past two decades. Despite Odisha’s significant contributions to the national economy through coal, iron ore, and minerals, he lamented that the state continues to be overlooked.
"Odisha suffers natural calamities year after year, yet Delhi refuses to acknowledge our pain. This budget favors some, ignores others, and treats Odisha as an afterthought," he said.
Slamming the government’s approach, he asked, "Is Odisha only valuable for its mines and minerals, but not worthy of Special Category Status?" He urged the Centre to recognize Odisha’s resilience and extend the support it deserves.
"If we expect Odisha to rebuild after every disaster while fueling India's growth, then the government must not turn its back on us," Patra concluded.
