VK Pandian Slams Central Govt For Empty Promises, Demands For Fair Share Of Odisha's Mineral Wealth

BJD leader VK Pandian on May 29 slammed BJP and Chief Ministers who are coming to Odisha for making empty promises and demanded for a fair share of Odisha's mineral wealth.“The Central leaders and CMs who are coming to Odisha repeatedly, their campaign will not have an impact because they have not done anything for Odisha. They are talking about Rs 60,000 crores from Odisha and repaying only Rs 4,000-5,000 crores and are shedding crocodile tears saying that Odisha is a mineral-rich state. Coal is one of the biggest minerals from Odisha, you take Rs 27,000-30,000 crores and give Rs 4,000 crores to Odisha...Why can't you revise the coal royalty for the last 20 years? The people of Odisha can understand what the Center takes away from Odisha...Yes, we are mineral rich but where are you allowing us to get the profit out of minerals? You are giving us pollution and taking away all the profits...,” said VK Pandian.