Title - Odisha protests cut in railway budgetary allocation

Odisha Saturday protested the alleged reduction of Rs.186 crore in the budgetary allocation to different railway projects in the state. Describing it as a "step-motherly attitude" of the railways to his state, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik said the move would hamper creation of passenger amenities and industrialization."I understand that the Indian Railways have reduced an amount of Rs.186 crore from the budgetary allocation to different projects in Odisha. This is gross injustice," said Patnaik in a letter to Railway Minister Mukul Roy.Patnaik said Rs.723 crore was allotted to the state by railways for 2012-2013 against a demand of Rs.2,345 crore. "Now suddenly again the Railways have announced this reduction," he said. "I strongly protest against this step-motherly attitude of the Railways," Patnaik said, asking Roy to take necessary steps to restore the allocation.