BJD MLAs submit memo to President, demand restoration of budget allocation

BHUBANESWAR: A group of more than 30 MLAs along with workers of Biju Janata Dal (BJD) met Governor Murlidhar C Bhandare here on Saturday and handed over a memorandum addressing the President of India demanding restoration of the budget allocation towards the State for the development of railway infrastructure.

 

BJD members in the memorandum highlighted the step-motherly attitude of the Central Government in neglecting the development of railway infrastructure in the State thereby stunting the pace of economic growth of the State.

The party members stated that the State contributes substantially to the earning of Indian Railways to the tune of around Rs 10,000 crore. However the budget allocation to the State by the Railways is not commensurate with the earnings it receives from the State, they alleged.

During the financial year 2012-13, the party members said, the State had demanded Rs 2,345 crore, but a paltry sum of Rs 723 crore only was allocated for the State in the Railway Budget. Subsequently the budget allocation was reduced by Rs 186 crore in June, 2012, the party members said, adding, “Once again the budget was further reduced by Rs 34 crore in September, 2012.”

BJD MLA and Deputy Chief Whip of the party Sanjay Das Burma said the State is contributing around Rs 10, 000 crore to the national exchequer, but the Centre is allocating a few hundred crore rupees which is very unfortunate. The poor allocation and then reduction of that allocation clearly shows the continuous negligence of the Centre towards the State regarding allocation of the railway budget, Das Burma added.

“Now Odisha is in a great industrialisation path, the allocations was meant for the development of railway lines to connect the industrial hubs inside the State, but the reduction of allocated money will obviously hamper the development process of the State,” he said.

Among others, more than 30 MLAs including Chief Whip of rulling party Prabhat Tripathy, MLA Ashok Panda, Bijoy Mohanty, workers of BJD, Biju Yuva Janata Dal and Biju Chatra Janata Dal led by its president Byomkesh Ray were present in the meeting with Governor.