The Pioneer, April 11, 2010
PNS, Bhubaneswar
The Planning Commission has favoured Odisha with a double gesture for the KBK region. Under the Revised Long Term Action Plan (RLTAP) for KBK, the Commission has increased its budget allocation from Rs 130 crore to Rs 250 crore, said official sources.
This allocation is for the fiscal 2010-11, said a senior official in State Planning and Coordination Department. Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik had earlier requested the Prime Minister to double the KBK grant. Minister of Planning & Coordination AU Singh Deo had gone to the Planning Commission pleading for the KBK region and asking for at least Rs 250 crore annually.
Singh Deo had met Planning Commission Member Prof Abhijit Sen for the purpose and discussed the issue at length. Balangir MP Kalikesh Singh Deo had also met Prof Sen on the issue. AU Singh Deo held discussions with the Advisor to the Prime Minister, Sam Pitroda, to double the KBK deal. Dr Pitroda, who was born in Titilagarh in Balangir, is known to have a soft corner for Odisha in general and the KBK region in particular.
Deputy Chairman of Planning Commission Montek Singh Ahluwalia was impressed with the views of Pitroda and Prof Sen for more funding for the KBK zone.
Now, the Commission has indicated in its budget for 2010-11 to provide Rs 250 crore for KBK. In 2009-10, KBK, under the RLTAP, had received Rs 130 crore, which was insufficient for development of the most backward districts of Odisha. Special Secretary of the Department of Planning & Coordination Ram Vir Singh also convinced the authorities in Commission about the need for doubling the amount for KBK.
The Planning Commission has made a provision of Rs 250 crore for 2010-11, but it is yet to approve the State Government’s Rs 4,550-crore-perspective plan for development of the eight KBK districts for the next eight years.
However, increasing the annual allocation of the KBK deal would go a long way in funding the various special projects, admitted an official.
No comments:
Post a Comment