Odisha lists the state’s demand to the Centre.Need more central assistance to combat COVID-19

Odisha government has renewed its demand for personal protective hears, Covid-19 testing kits and additional funding to fight novel coronavirus from the Centre.

BJD MP Pinaki Mishra, who was representing Odisha at a video conferencing meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday, listed the state’s demand to the Centre.

He reiterated the need for additional PPE for medical professionals who are most vulnerable and are seen as frontline forces fighting against Covid-19.

Mishra urged PM Modi to release money of central schemes such as MGNREGA immediately. He also praised the PM for taking the decision to suspend the MPLAD fund and asked if the money from the fund could be credited to Chief Minister Relief Fund as “it would be a big help for state government in its fight against Covid-19. As that money belongs to the state MPs, the state should get be able to utilise it.”

“You have announced the stimulus package of Rs 2 lakh crore to fight Covid-19, whereas other countries have decided to use a minimum 10 per cent of GDP. When our budget is $2.7 trillion, we can at least opt for a budget of Rs 15-20 lakh crore to fight against Covid-19,” the BJD MP suggested during the meeting.

“The nation is with you, no one will blame you if we breach the fiscal deficit target. So you can move ahead with confidence to increase the Covid-19 package,” Pinaki Mishra to PM Modi.