BJD MP Raises Long-pending Demands of Odisha in Rajya Sabha 

New Delhi: Biju Janata Dal (BJD) MP Dr. Sasmit Patra on Thursday raised various long-pending demands of Odisha in the Rajya Sabha.

Participating in the discussion on Finance Bill 2025 and Appropriation Bill No.3 in the Rajya Sabha, the BJD MP highlighted the genuine and justified demands of Odisha, which have consistently been overlooked despite their significance to the state’s economic, social, and infrastructural growth.

Seeking Special Category Status for Odisha, the BJD MP said, “ For decades, Odisha has suffered from frequent natural calamities—cyclones, floods, and droughts—crippling economic progress and placing an unbearable burden on our limited resources. Despite demonstrating fiscal prudence and maintaining a revenue surplus, Odisha has been denied its rightful recognition as a Special Category State”.

This status would ensure higher central assistance, tax concessions, and greater financial flexibility to address the unique developmental challenges Odisha faces. The people of Odisha demand that this unfulfilled promise be met with immediate action, he said.

The BJD MP expressed concerns over the rising prices of essential commodities and inflation that have disproportionately burdened the common man.

He urged the government to take urgent measures to curb inflation through fiscal intervention, including GST rationalization on essential goods and stronger price stabilization mechanisms. The crisis of high unemployment and rising joblessness further accentuates the economic strain, he said.

Stating that coal royalty and green tax reforms are another pressing concern, the BJD MP highlighted that Odisha contributes significantly to the nation’s coal production, yet districts like Sundargarh, Angul, Dhenkanal, Keonjhar, Mayurbhanj, and Jajpur receive minimal revenue in return. The Centre must increase coal royalty rates and ensure a ‘Green Tax’ is imposed on mining companies to compensate for environmental degradation and provide funds for local area development. The current cess and royalty structures must be revised in Odisha’s favor, ensuring that the wealth extracted from the state contributes to its own progress, he asserted.

The state’s infrastructure, particularly in road and rail connectivity, requires urgent attention. Several National Highway and Coastal Highway projects remain incomplete or underfunded, severely affecting trade, tourism, and connectivity. The Centre must allocate sufficient funds for the completion of all pending NH projects and fast-track the Coastal Highway, which is crucial for Odisha’s maritime and industrial aspirations, the BJD Rajya Sabha MP said.

The glaring healthcare disparity in Odisha is evident in the lack of AIIMS facilities beyond Bhubaneswar. AIIMS hospitals must be immediately established in Sambalpur, Koraput, and Balasore to cater to underserved regions. The need for tertiary healthcare in these areas is immense, and budgetary allocations must reflect this necessity. Additionally, financial provisions must be made to strengthen existing medical colleges and district hospitals to ensure quality healthcare reaches the last mile, he said.

The upliftment of Odisha’s tribal communities must be prioritized. The GST imposed on Kendu Leaf—a primary source of livelihood for tribal families—must be immediately withdrawn to ensure their economic security, he further demanded.

Railway connectivity in Odisha remains subpar despite the state’s immense contribution to railway revenues. Several railway projects have been stalled due to inadequate funding. The Centre must allocate sufficient resources for railway line expansion, modernization in Odisha to cater to the increasing passenger and freight demand, Patra said.

Banking, mobile and digital connectivity, especially in rural and tribal-dominated regions, continues to be a major issue. The digital divide must be addressed with urgent allocations for broadband expansion and mobile network penetration in the remotest parts of Odisha. With the Centre emphasizing digital governance, financial inclusion and economic digitization, it is imperative that Odisha’s digital infrastructure be strengthened to ensure financial inclusion and development, he added.