BJD forms human chain demanding SCS tag for Odisha

BHUBANESWAR: Biju Janata Dal (BJD) formed human chain in the capital city along with other district headquarters of the State demanding Special Category Status (SCS) for the State. Party workers took part in the agitation by forming human chain from Rajmahal square to Master Canteen here on Tuesday.

More than one thousand of people led by Biju Yuva Janata Dal (BYJD) State president and rulling party deputy chief-whip Sanjay Das Burma were standing in a row by wearing placards bearing slogans protesting the Central Government’s apathy towards the development of the State.

Party MLAs including Ashok Panda, Bhagirathi Badjena, Bijay Mohanty, Samir Ranjan Das and Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC) Anant Narayan Jena and BYJD spokesperson Bijay Nayak coordinating the human chain said that the Centre is not only showing step-motherly attitude while sanctioning any fund but also delaying the SCS tag for the State due to political reason. Statement given by the Union Ministers in the Parliament against the State on the issue of SCS tag is insult for Odias, they added.

The leaders also said the State is fulfilling all the criteria except international border. Besides, scheduled tribe population is 22.8 per cent which is 8.6 per cent of the national rate and eight districts of the State are belonging to very poor regions of the country, they added.

The State is in the right path of development and if the Central Government helps the State by giving SCS tag, Odisha would become number one among the country, said the leaders. “We will continue the protest till we get SCS tag from the Centre,” said Biju Chhatra Janata Dal State president Byomkesh Ray.