Bhubaneswar: Odisha chief minister Naveen Patnaik on Thursday criticised the budget for not having anything for the KBK region and other tribal areas of the state, but welcomed its intent to increase the minimum support price (MSP) by 1.5 times of the cost of production of crops.

Reacting on the Union budget, Naveen said: "I am happy that it looks like our demand to increase the MSP has been accepted. However, the cost of production must take into account the actual cost incurred by farmers on a realistic note. At the same time, I am keenly waiting to see the modalities of calculation."

Naveen also appreciated the announcement of a national health protection scheme to cover 10 crore families.

"It would have been better that instead of a target of 10 crores, universal coverage extending to all eligible poor families was incorporated. If such a step is taken, state government was fully support," he said.

He, however, expressed concern about the low level of allocation for MNREGA, midday meal scheme, National Health Mission and PMGSY.

"I am surprised by the reduction in allocation under Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana, while we have a commitment towards Housing for All," he said.

Naveen, however, was more critical on the Centre's attitude towards the development of railway sector in Odisha.

"Total outlay for Odisha for 2018-19 for railways is not known yet as against our demand of Rs 6,500 crore. It is seen that that this year also the actual expenditure by railways in Odisha continues to be low and it is expected to be below 60 per cent of the budget outlay for the entire year similar to the trends in the recent past, which is quite worrisome," the chief minister said.

Naveen sounded critical about the announcement to redevelop 600 railway stations.

"Two years ago the announcement was made for 400 stations. Nothing has happened in this sector, specifically for Odisha, in which 12 stations had been chosen by railway," he said.

Naveen has expressed serious concern about the railways' reluctance to sign the MoU to make Bhubaneswar as world-class railway station.

He said: "Even before the budget, railways have announced a new coach manufacturing factory in Marth-awada area of Maharashtra. But it is disappointing to note that the wagon manufacturing factory at Sitapalli, where the state government has given 100 acres of land and project was sanctioned in 2011-12, has been pushed to cold storage."

Union petroleum minister Dharmendra Pradhan said: "Odisha would benefit immensely from the Union budget. The Centre has made provision to provide loans even to the sharecroppers. The Centre is giving focus on agriculture, development of rural economy, small and medium scale units, employment, education and health."

State Congress chief Prasad Harichandan was critical of the Budget. "This is a hollow budget. The budget has been prepared keeping the elections in mind," he said.

Rape arrest

Dharmasala police in Jajpur arrested a 30-year-old youth for raping a married woman in Putunia village in the district on Tuesday night. The accused has been identified as Siba Prasad Rout of Banamalipur