Union Minister of State for Shipping, Chemicals and Fertilisers Mansukh Mandaviya on Monday claimed that the BJP-led Government at the Centre has given special focus on Odisha and provided highest-ever assistance of Rs 16,605.20 crore to the State during the first 100 days of its second term.

The Minister stated this at a Press meet held here on “100 days of NDA Government 2.0”.

“A total of Rs 4678.22 crore has been sanctioned to Odisha for undertaking restoration works post Cyclonic Fani. The State has received the highest allocation of Rs 5933.98 crore under the Compensatory Afforestation Fund Management and Planning Authority (CAMPA Fund). In the Union Budget, an all-time high amount of Rs 5993 crore has been allocated for the railway sector in the State,” he said.

To justify his claim, Mandaviya said two BJP leaders from the State have been allotted two portfolios each in the Union Government while Biswabhusan Harichadan has been appointed as the Governor of Andhra Pradesh during this term.

He requested Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik to implement the Ayushman Bharat scheme to safeguard good health of people.

He said the port city of Paradip would be developed as a Smart industrial city.

He said many historic decisions were taken and implemented during the period.

“Abrogation of Article 370 and 35A for the betterment of the people in Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh, three per cent reservation for the Defence personnel and legislation against Triple Talaq are a few major decisions taken by the Government during this period,” he said.

He said the Union Government has also decided to deposit Rs 6,000 to eligible farmers’ bank accounts and to provide Rs 3,000 pension per month to every retired farmer.

The Minister inaugurated a ‘Jan Connect’ booklet on 100 days of performance. Leader of Opposition in State Assembly Pradeep Nayak, Deputy Leader Bishnu Charan Sethi, Opposition Chief Whip Mohan Chandra Majhi, MP Aparajita Sarangi and Rajya Sabha member AshwiniVaishnaw were present.