Planning Commission Deputy Chairman Montek Singh Ahluwalia today said adequate financial assistance was being given to Odisha as it has been identified as a backward state.
"There is no doubt that Odisha is a backward state. But we (the Planning Commission and the Union Government) are providing a lot of support to the state through Backward Regions Grant Fund (BRGF), KBK schemes. A lot of assistance should be given and is being given," Ahluwalia told reporters.
He was replying to a question on the state government's allegation that its demand for special category status was ignored by the Centre.
Asked whether Odisha should be given the special category status in view of its backwardness, Ahluwalia said: "That is not in my hand."
His statement came at a time when the ruling BJD and Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik have been raising the issue repeatedly after the Centre accorded special category state status to the newly created Seemandhra.
Ahluwalia later visited a vegetable outlet of state government promoted Udyan Fresh here and a centre of excellence in horticulture at Deras on the outskirts.
