The Hindu : Orissa CM condemns Gujarat violence

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Thursday, Apr 18, 2002

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Orissa CM condemns Gujarat violence

By Prafulla Das

BHUBANESWAR APRIL 17. The Biju Janata Dal president and Orissa Chief Minister, Naveen Patnaik, today expressed regret over the communal violence in Gujarat and demanded that the guilty be brought to book.

Addressing a rally organised by his party on the occasion of the fifth death anniversary of the late Biju Patnaik here this evening, Mr. Patnaik said that whatever happened in Gujarat was distressful and needed to be condemned. Efforts should be made not to allow occurrence of any such violence in Orissa, he said.

Taking up his party's earlier demand for grant of special category State status to Orissa, Mr. Patnaik said that his party would continue to press the demand with the Centre.

Since the rally was attended by newly-elected panchayat representatives belonging to the party, Mr. Patnaik said a high-powered committee would be formed to grant more powers to the Panchayati Raj institutions. A new Bill would be introduced to give judicial powers to the gram panchayats. The responsibility of managing primary education would also be handed over to the panchayats.

He said the 15th day of every month would be observed as `Jana Seva Divas' when pension and other assistance would be disbursed to the beneficiaries at the panchayat headquarters across the State. Under the `Utkal Green Village programme', panchayats or self-help groups could utilise the community land in villages for plantation purpose.

The Chief Minister said that one godown would be constructed at every gram panchayat..

The rally passed of peacefully except for a minor scuffle between the police and the rallysts. Two policemen were injured when a group of people started throwing stones.

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Orissa CM condemns Gujarat violence