By Bizodisha Bureau, Bhubaneswar, March 3, 2018: The ruling Biju Janata Dal (BJD) will raise the issue of formation of Mahanadi Tribunal, Polavaram, hike in Minimum Support Price (MSP) of paddy among others in the upcoming second phase budget session in Parliament starting from March 5.

This was decided at the parliamentary party meeting chaired by BJD president and Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik at Naveen Nivas here on Saturday.

“Apart from Mahanadi, Polavaram and paddy MSP, our party will also raise the demand for special category status for Odisha, special assistance for KBK region and other prominent issues in the interest of the State,” said parliamentary party spokesman Kalikesh Singhdeo.

Kalikesh further informed that the party MPs will also demand for bringing Odisha under one railway zone with three new divisions during the budget session.

“The assistance of other States will be sought but our party will keep equidistance from UPA and NDA,” Kalikesh added.

“We noticed the Centre is neglecting the state government in many issues. The rights of the state are also ignored. The parties, which are bearing such apathy, we will try to take them on our side. And we will continue to fight against the non-pro-people policies of the poor of the states like Odisha,” he added.