BHUBANESWAR: Despite allocation of Rs 5252 crore for Odisha in railway sector for 2018-19 monetary year, the ruling BJD and the Congress on Tuesday termed the allocation as disappointing.
Hailing the funds as historic, the BJP said Odisha received highest ever allocation in railway sectors throughout the NDA govt.
Addressing a information conference here, BJD Rajya Sabha member Pratap Deb slammed the Centre over Centre's allocation in railway sector. "The railways generate annual revenue worth Rs 16,000 crore from Odisha. But, it is unfortunate that Odisha is out of Centre's focus while allocating funds for the railway sector development as not a single new rail line has been approved for Odisha," Deb said.
Deb said although the state govt has allocated 100 acres of land at Sitalapali in Ganjam district for a wagon manufacturing unit sanctioned in 2011-12, it used to be dropped by way of the railway government.
"Before presentation of the budget, our chief minister has requested to set up a coach manufacturing unit in that place. The railway authorities ignored the state's proposal citing there was no need for coach factory. It, however, sanctioned a coach manufacturing unit at Marathwada area just a few days ahead of the budget. The Centre has betrayed the people of Odisha," Deb said.
Terming the claim of high allocation as 'eyewash', the BJD MP said cash allocated in the previous funds for a very powerful projects like Jeypore-Malkangiri line, Jeypore-Nabarangapur line and Gunupur-Theruvali line may no longer be spent by way of the railway government. "When you are not able to spend the money allotted in the previous budget, what is the point of allocating fresh budget?" he said.
Deb said other folks of Odisha would give a befitting respond to the NDA govt for its step-motherly perspective towards Odisha.
Senior Congress chief and previous Union minister Srikant Jena said the claim of allocation of highest fund has no which means as the Centre has didn't spend it on floor. "The Centre makes budget provision in papers but people of Odisha are not getting any benefit as only one-fourth of the allocated amount is being spent," Jena said.
Union oil minister Dharmendra Pradhan said massive allocation of fund for Odisha throughout the NDA regime has put an finish to the allegations Centre's negligence to Odisha in railway sector.
"While Odisha was receiving average annual grant of Rs 838 crore during UPA-II, the NDA government has allocated Rs 5252 crore in a year. This will give the much needed boost to economic activities and job creation in the state," Pradhan said.
On allegations of funds may no longer be utilized, Pradhan said it used to be because of lengthen in acquisition of land by way of the state govt.
Hailing the funds as historic, the BJP said Odisha received highest ever allocation in railway sectors throughout the NDA govt.
Addressing a information conference here, BJD Rajya Sabha member Pratap Deb slammed the Centre over Centre's allocation in railway sector. "The railways generate annual revenue worth Rs 16,000 crore from Odisha. But, it is unfortunate that Odisha is out of Centre's focus while allocating funds for the railway sector development as not a single new rail line has been approved for Odisha," Deb said.
Deb said although the state govt has allocated 100 acres of land at Sitalapali in Ganjam district for a wagon manufacturing unit sanctioned in 2011-12, it used to be dropped by way of the railway government.
"Before presentation of the budget, our chief minister has requested to set up a coach manufacturing unit in that place. The railway authorities ignored the state's proposal citing there was no need for coach factory. It, however, sanctioned a coach manufacturing unit at Marathwada area just a few days ahead of the budget. The Centre has betrayed the people of Odisha," Deb said.
Terming the claim of high allocation as 'eyewash', the BJD MP said cash allocated in the previous funds for a very powerful projects like Jeypore-Malkangiri line, Jeypore-Nabarangapur line and Gunupur-Theruvali line may no longer be spent by way of the railway government. "When you are not able to spend the money allotted in the previous budget, what is the point of allocating fresh budget?" he said.
Deb said other folks of Odisha would give a befitting respond to the NDA govt for its step-motherly perspective towards Odisha.
Senior Congress chief and previous Union minister Srikant Jena said the claim of allocation of highest fund has no which means as the Centre has didn't spend it on floor. "The Centre makes budget provision in papers but people of Odisha are not getting any benefit as only one-fourth of the allocated amount is being spent," Jena said.
Union oil minister Dharmendra Pradhan said massive allocation of fund for Odisha throughout the NDA regime has put an finish to the allegations Centre's negligence to Odisha in railway sector.
"While Odisha was receiving average annual grant of Rs 838 crore during UPA-II, the NDA government has allocated Rs 5252 crore in a year. This will give the much needed boost to economic activities and job creation in the state," Pradhan said.
On allegations of funds may no longer be utilized, Pradhan said it used to be because of lengthen in acquisition of land by way of the state govt.
Odisha: BJD, Congress term railway allocation disappointing
![Odisha: BJD, Congress term railway allocation disappointing]()
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February 07, 2018
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