Demand for enhanced funding for the KBK ignored

Motion against Centre’s apathy mooted
Expressbuzz, July 8, 2009

BHUBANESWAR: BJD member Kalpataru Das today demanded in the Assembly that a motion should be passed in the House for ignoring the interests of the State in the budget for 2009-10.

Raising the issue during zero hour, the BJD member alleged that the stepmotherly attitude of the Centre has been continuing for the last five years by the UPA Government. Demands in the railway sector have also been ignored in the budget of Mamata Banerjee, he said.

Referring to the provision of Rs 1,000 crore made in the budget for tackling the post-cyclone situation in West Bengal, Das criticised the Centre for wanting a refund of Rs 98 crore provided for the 2008 floods in the State.

Besides, a package has been announced for the handloom sector in Rajasthan while for Orissa there is no special provision for this.

The State Government’s demand for enhanced funding for the KBK (undivided Kalahandi, Balangir and Koraput districts) region has been ignored. Das alleged that the UPA Government had targeted Orissa and a motion should be moved against this.