BJD demands special category status for Odisha, revision of coal royalty

Bhubaneswar (Odisha) [India], June 29 (ANI): BJD Vice President and Senior MLA Prasanna Acharya on Saturday urged Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi to prioritize two key issues concerning Odisha - to push for the long-standing demand for special category status and seek a revision of the coal royalty rates.
"Odisha CM and two Deputy CM gone to Delhi. They are meeting with the Prime Minister, the President of India and other Union Ministers. But they should raise our demands. CM Mohan Majhi should raise the Coal royalty revision and special category status issues. Odisha has long demand for special category status," Acharya told ANI.
Acharya further aimed the BJP for what he described as a break from tradition. He questioned the recent appointment of a non-Odia Chief Secretary asking "Is this Odisha's pride?"
"Chief Secretary appointment is the prerogative of the govt. But the BJP saying Odisha pride. Is this Odisha's pride ( Non-odia CS appointment)? BJP did the diversion. BJP broke the tradition of CS appointment," Acharya said.
Earlier in the day, Majhi and Deputy Chief Ministers Kanak Vardhan Singh Deo and Pravati Parida on Saturday met with External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar in the national capital.
After the meeting, Jaishankar took to social media platform X to post, "Delighted to meet Odisha Chief Minister Shri Mohan Charan Majhi ji, Deputy CMs Shri Kanak Vardhan Singh Deo ji, and Smt. Pravati Parida ji this morning. Congratulated them on the assumption of such significant responsibility."
He further said that the Odisha government has been assured that the External Affairs Ministry would closely work with them so as to promote tourism.
"Confident that their Government will take Odisha to a higher trajectory of growth and prosperity. Assured that MEA will work closely with Odisha Government in promoting tourism, establishing international linkages and accessing a global workplace. Wished them a successful tenure," Jaishanker tweeted.
Meanwhile, Majhi and both his deputies, Kanak Vardhan Singh Deo and Pravati Parida also met Union Minister and BJP President JP Nadda in the national capital.
On Friday, the three had called on Prime Minister Narendra Modi. (ANI)