Bhubaneswar, Feb. 7 -- The Biju Janata Dal (BJD) on Friday urged the 16th Finance Commission to grant Special Category Status (SCS) or Special Focus State status to Odisha, citing its frequent natural disasters, historical deprivation, and a significant 40 percent SC/ST population.
If SCS is not granted, the BJD demanded at least a 90:10 funding pattern for Centrally Sponsored Schemes (CSS), similar to the North Eastern and Western Himalayan states. The demand was made in a memorandum submitted to the 16th Finance Commission.
Addressing the media, senior BJD leaders Prasanna Acharya, Dr. Amar Patnaik, Prafulla Samal, and Sashibhusan Behera stated that the party has submitted a memorandum to the 16th Finance Commission highlighting Odisha'...