Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik has urged the NITI Aayog to restore central assistance for backward districts, the special KBK…
Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik (Photo: Twitter)
Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik has urged the NITI Aayog to restore central assistance for backward districts, the special KBK plan and revise royalty on coal.
The CM raised the issues with NITI Aayog vice chairman Rajiv Kumar who called on him here on Saturday.
Patnaik drew the attention of Kumar to his demand for amendment of coal royalty and reimplementation of central assistance for undivided Kalahandi-Balangir-Koraput (KBK), Integrated Action Plan (IAP) and Backward Regions Grant Fund (BRGF) districts at the meeting.
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The need to raise central fund share from 75 per cent to 90 per cent under State Natural Disaster Fund, early notification to the state regarding annual allocation under various central schemes, no cut-off in the announced allocations, relaxation of rules under Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY) for the blocks in 38 LWE affected areas were also raised.
Patnaik discussed opening of banks in unbanked districts, increasing broadband network, development of NH and adding a number of beneficiaries under Pradhan Mantri Matru Bandana Yojana launched by the Centre.
Reliable sources said Rajiv Kumar said these were larger issues and NITI Aayog will be more than willing to arrange bilateral meetings with concerned ministries and officials of the state government.
He failed to give a positive response to any of the issues including the inordinate delay in revision of royalty on coal particularly when the centre had mopped up huge sum by way of increased cess.
Kumar was keen that Odisha which has objected and boycotted the Aspirational Districts programme should reconsider and join the programme so that backward districts get special attention for development.
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