BJD will bring up problems with textbooks, MPLADS, and coal royalty during the upcoming Monsoon Session of Parliament.

Bhubaneswar: The BJD, the main opposition party, has announced that they will be bringing up various concerns regarding the state of Odisha in the upcoming Monsoon Session of Parliament. These issues include the alleged obstacles in the utilization of MPLADS funds, the lack of revision of coal royalty, and errors found in school textbooks. According to BJD's Rajya Sabha floor leader Manas Mangaraj, these matters were discussed during an all-party meeting held in New Delhi, which was organized by the government prior to the beginning of the Monsoon Session on Monday.

He stated that the BJD has deliberated on the issues they plan to raise during the session, such as the ongoing war in West Asia, the unreasonable increase in the prices of essential commodities, and the distress faced by vehicle owners due to the blending of ethanol in petrol. In a statement released by the party, Mangaraj stated that the BJD will also be questioning the central government about the errors found in Odisha's school textbooks. While parliamentarians from various parties have demanded an increase in the MP Local Area Development Scheme allocation, which currently stands at Rs 5 crore, the BJD's immediate concern is to ensure the proper utilization of the existing funds.

Mangaraj alleged that the BJP government in Odisha is creating hindrances in the efficient utilization of these funds. He further accused the state government of obstructing BJD MPs from utilizing their MPLADS funds for the development of their constituencies. According to him, these actions have resulted in the delay of numerous development projects.

The BJD leader also shared his own experience, stating that he had recommended development works in the Chilika Assembly constituency using MPLADS funds, but the projects were not being implemented effectively. He also claimed that while the expenses were being covered by the MP's fund, the inauguration plaques were displaying the names of Odisha ministers. Mangaraj went on to allege that the BJP government in Odisha has deliberately devised a mechanism to prevent BJD MPs from utilizing their MPLADS funds.

According to him, proposals submitted by the BJD have been kept pending for the past two years due to the directions of the state government. In fact, the BJD had previously submitted a notice to the parliamentary department-related committee on this matter, which was also discussed during the all-party meeting. Mangaraj stated that they will be raising this issue in Parliament and have requested a separate discussion on the matter.

He added that the Union minister and other members present during the meeting have agreed to address this issue in Parliament. He also assured that the BJD will cooperate in the smooth functioning of Parliament while strongly advocating for the rights and interests of the people of Odisha. Apart from the issues mentioned above, the BJD has also listed the non-revision of coal royalty for the state, the current situation in West Asia, the rise in prices of essential commodities, and the problems faced by vehicle owners as additional matters that they will be addressing.

It is worth noting that while the BJD does not have any members in the Lok Sabha, they do have five MPs in the Rajya Sabha. Orissa POST - Odisha's leading English daily.