Bizodisha Bureau, Bhubaneswar, March 5, 2015

Mr Patnaik chose his legendary father Biju Patnaik’s birth day anniversary to reiterate his statement that the center has been neglecting the eastern state time and again.

Addressing a gathering at the party headquarters here, the BJP government at the Centre had drastically cut the share of the state in the 14th Finance Commission.

“In a federal structure, the union government has to play its role for the development of the states. Unfortunately, even though the Center appreciated the Odisha’s performance in managing fiscal deficit, it has reduced the share of the state in the 14th Finance Commission,” the chief minister said.

“In Union budget, West Bengal and Bihar have been given special packages. However, Odisha, which meets all criteria laid down by the Center, has not been awarded any such package. Is it not discrimination? We will intensify our fight against this injustice,” the chief minister, who is also the BJD president, said.

The BJP, however, dismissed Patnaik’s allegations saying that Odisha had been the revenue surplus state which is why it did not get any special package.

Union tribal affairs minister Jual Oram advised the chief minister to “properly read the recommendations of the 14th Finance Commission.”

“In the 13th Finance Commission, the devolution of the resources was 32%. In the 14th Finance Commission, it has been increased to 42%, which means 42 %of the income of the Central Government will be given to the states. The Urban bodies and panchayati raj institutions will receive funds separately as per the new provision. Overall, the center would share up to 47%of its income with the state,” said Mr Oram.

He went on to add that the Odisha government would receive the highest amount from auction of coal blocks and other minerals which will be higher than Rs one lakh crore. The state will get to spend Rs 2- 2.5 lakh crore within next three to four years.

“Special packages have been given to revenue deficit states. Why didn’t the CM go and tell the Commission that his state is revenue deficit? He rather went and highlighted his achievements thereby making the state ineligible for the special entitlement,” Mr Oram said.

Similarly, the union minister, Dharmendra Pradhan said the Odisha has got the highest allocation ever of more than Rs 3000 crore. “Where is the question of the state being sidelined by the union government? He quipped.