Bhubaneswar, March 23 (IANS) Leaders of the ruling BJD in Odisha on Monday offered contradictory views over a monthly video conference by Prime Minister Narendra Modi with state chief secretaries.
Modi will start the Proactive Governance and Timely Implementation (PRAGATI), a monthly video conference, with state chief secretaries from March 25 for redressal of grievances and to take stock of the implementation of various centrally-funded projects in states.
Biju Janata Dal leader and Cooperation Minister Damodar Rout said an elected prime minister ignoring the elected chief ministers cannot be considered beneficial from the constitutional point of view.
"Progress can only be achieved only when there is a cordial atmosphere between the state and the Centre. But, the move will lead to conflicts in administration and ultimately progress will be affected," he said.
However, BJD spokesperson Sameer Dash said there was nothing wrong in the prime minister interacting with the chief secretaries to accelerate growth.
He said the issue should not be politicised.
The Congress said it would be against the principles and ethos of federalism, but the BJP said the move will address bottlenecks in implementation of various projects.
"This move can be viewed in two ways. First, it is interference in the administration of the state government, which is unconstitutional. However, if the intention is honest, it can help accelerate growth," said Leader of Opposition and Congress leader Narasingh Mishra.
He said the prime minister should discuss with the chief minister or a cabinet minister as per democratic traditions.
Odisha BJP president K.V. Singhdeo welcomed the move, saying it will help in implementation of projects.
"The prime minister will check the implementation of various projects and address bottlenecks. He will also look after the utilisation of central funds sanctioned to the state. This is a welcoming step," said Singhdeo.
All is not well in the I.N.D.I.A alliance! AAP's opposition in CWC meeting, demand to postpone seat-sharing talks till November
INDIA Alliance: Everything does not seem to be going well yet in I.N.D.I.A., the alliance of opposition parties. In the recent Congress Working Committee meeting held in Hyderabad, many Congress
Bharat Jodo Yatra: Bharat Jodo Yatra will start in Bengal from Kapil Muni Ashram, Rahul-Priyanka invited
Congress's Bharat Jodo Yatra will start on December 28 in West Bengal. The yatra in the state will start from Kapil Muni Ashram located at Ganga Sagar Island. Rahul and Priyanka Gandhi can also
World Malaria Day: Big game in malaria death figures in Delhi, only 2 patients died in 6 years
Economically weak Sri Lanka may have become malaria-free, but malaria eradication in the country's capital Delhi is still a big challenge. Under the National Vector Borne Disease Control Program
National Herald Case: ED's interrogation of Rahul Gandhi continues, question-and-answer lasted for about 3 hours in the first round
National Herald Case: After interrogation in the National Herald case, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi left the ED's office and reached his residence in Tughlaq Lane. At the same time, he has once again
Manipur Violence: Situation tense after clash between students and police; Congress MP writes letter to Amit Shah
Manipur has been burning in the fire of violence since last year. More than a year has passed since the violence started between the Kuki and Meitei communities, but the situation has not yet returned
Indian Army is firmly standing at a height of 17 thousand feet in Arunachal Pradesh, China's attempt is failing
Defense Minister Rajnath Singh held a high-level meeting with the NSA, the Army Chief, and the CDS following the skirmish between the Indian Army and the Chinese Army at a 17,000 feet peak in
External Affairs Minister Jaishankar said in a UNSC meeting, the Internet is a powerful tool in the toolkit of terrorist groups
A two-day special meeting of the Counter-Terrorism Committee (CTC) of the United Nations Security Council is being held in India. The two-day special meeting of the Counter-Terrorism Committee of the
Health Minister's big meeting amid the growing threat of Omicron, discussion with states on airport screening
Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya is going to hold a big meeting with the states on the screening of the airport. In this meeting, the latest situation will be discussed with Airport Public
Project Cheetah: These cheetahs are moving like this in Kuno National Park - six have no problem, two are getting 'trouble'
Cheetah in India: Eight cheetahs who reached India after traveling about eight thousand kilometers from Namibia (Namibia) have begun to adapt to the atmosphere of Kuno National Park in Madhya Pradesh.
When India received Rafael from France, Russia halted the delivery of the S-400 missile defense system to China; Reliance shares continue to rise to new heights and gold prices
Today is Tuesday and the date is July 28. It is morning. Let us see what such reports were on Monday, which remained in the discussion among the people throughout the day. Monday was a very important
