Tags:
Journalism of Courage
BHUBANESWAR, APRIL 7: Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Friday ruled out the possibility of expansion of his ministry in the near future saying that he will look into the matter carefully.
Talking to newspersons at the airport here after returning from New Delhi, Patnaik said that he will have to discuss the matter with his alliance partner, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and senior Biju Janata Dal (BJD) leaders before taking any decision.
Asked whether the state unit BJP president Manmohan Samal had demanded expansion of the ministry, Patnaik quipped, "he did not make any such demand". On the issue of appointment of chairmen to the public sector undertakings, Patnaik said that the decision will be taken keeping in view the financial condition of each PSUs. Replying to a separate question, Patnaik said that appointment of political persons to these posts will be considered.
The Chief Minister reiterated that reconstruction and rehabilitation in the cyclone affected areas is the first priority before his government. Since the Centre has already sanctioned Rs 1000 crore for this purpose, "it is now the state government’s responsibility to implement the programmes," he said.
Referring to the extension of the BPL rice scheme till October, 2000, Patnaik said that the subsidy amount contributed by the Centre will be Rs 300 crore.
Prime Minister A B Vajpayee has agreed to a request from the Chief Minister to extend the time limit of the scheme from March to October, 2000. As per the scheme, all families in cyclone affected areas will get 20 kgs of rice per month at BPL prices.
The Centre, he informed, has agreed to establish a special economic zone at Paradip. Patnaik met Union Commerce Minister Murasoli Maran in this connection at New Delhi and the latter has agreed to the state government’s proposal. The Prime Minister has agreed to visit Orissa in the first week of May to lay the foundation stone of the proposed oil refinery at Paradip, he added.
The Chief Minister met Vice-President Krishan Kant, Deputy Chairperson of the Rajya Sabha Najma Heptullah, Lok Sabha Speaker G M C Balayogi and Union Programme Implementation Minister Arun Shourie and discussed the proposal of all the MPs donating Rs 10 lakh each from their MPLADF for the cyclone affected areas of the State.
Patnaik said that the state government has a plan to construct 200 high schools-cum-shelter homes in the affected areas with this money.
Patnaik informed the Union Forest and Environment Minister T R Balu about the damage to the coastal shelter belt plantation which has been damaged because of the cyclone. The State has lost 90 lakh trees in the cyclone. Besides, he also attended the meeting of the Orissa Cyclone Reconstruction Authority (OCRA) at New Delhi.
