New Delhi: Odisha chief minister Naveen Patnaik urged the Niti Aayog to mediate to resolve Centre-State disputes.

“We all accept that the State and Central governments are political entities and sometimes there are disputes in the implementation of Central schemes. Niti Aayog can resolve these issues like an ombudsman. This will promote cooperative federalism and speedy implementation of schemes.”

The CM was addressing the Niti Aayog meeting chaired by prime minister Narendra Modi, here on Friday.

Prime Minister Fasal Bhima Yojana has some
implementation issues in the field because of which genuine farmers are deprived in some cases, he said and added Niti Aayog may study this and suggest ways to protect the interest of farmers.

Stating India is at the crossroads of becoming a great economic superpower rooted in inclusive growth, he said and Niti Aayog can play an important role in facilitating this.

The CM demanded Special Focus State Status to Odisha.

“I would sincerely request the Central government to make Odisha a Special Focus State and allocate funds for disaster proofing as the State is frequintly hit by natural disasters.

Speaking about his State, the CM said, historically Odisha has been neglected in the subjects in the Central list viz
Telecom, Railways and banking. The State has the lowest density in all these crucial infrastructures, he pointed and urged the Central government to give special focus for Odisha.

Patnaik said as regards the rural housing scheme PMAY, most of the tribal and KBK districts have been bypassed from new allocation. He requested the Central government to immediately resolve this issue and allocate houses stating that the State government has complied to all the queries raised in this regard.

Praising the role of Modi as Gujarat CM in protecting and conserving step wells in Gujarat including the Rani ka Vav listed in UNESCO heritage site, the Odisha CM suggested that the ASI should be transformed and AMSAR Act be amended in view of the fact that the conservation and preservation systems has gone huge change globally, both in terms of technology and legally. This will greatly help in protecting heritage sites including our own Konark, he added.would sincerely request the Central government to make Odisha a special focus state and allocate funds for disaster proofing.

The Odisha CM cocluded his addressed stating, ” I am sure with the inputs from the esteemed colleague chief ministers and the leadership of PM, Team India will keep shining in the true spirit of cooperrative federalism.”