**Bhubaneswar:** With the interim budget scheduled to be presented in the Parliament on February 1, Odisha Government hopes that the Centre adheres to the demands of the State regarding sanction of railway projects and hike in minimum support price (MSP) for farmers.
Briefing mediapersons here, Odisha Finance Minister Sashi Bhusan Behera said, even if Centre is earning from railway projects in Odisha, it is not concerned about development of the State. There are various long term projects including extension of railway tracks and national highways. Besides, the State has been regularly demanding for hike in MSP.
“Though the Government has delayed in taking any step in this regard, we hope they take a decision and would include it in the budget,” said Behera.
He informed the Centre is earning Rs 20,000 crores from Odisha through railways, but are not providing the State with its adequate share. This is acting as a hurdle to the financial development of Odisha.
When questioned about the budget session of Odisha Assembly, scheduled to commence from February 4, Behera said the State Government will analyze the matching share of the sectors where the Centre wants to spend and will place it in the budget session of the State Assembly accordingly.
It is worthwhile to mention that development of railway stations in Odisha for amenities of passengers is facing uncertainty. Even after regular requests by Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, the Union Railway Minister has not taken any step in this regard, for which ambitious projects are getting delayed.