True to a much famous saying, “A politician should have three hats. One for throwing into the ring (means taking up cudgels against opponent), one for talking through (means business) and one for pulling rabbits out if elected (means wave magic wand to bring miracles)”, BJP national president Amit Shah, finally, on his second visit to Odisha sincerely scripted it into ‘action’.
While Shah’s challenge to CM Naveen Patnaik to hold a Press conference to refute of the largesse of the Modi Government to Odisha indicates of the first political hat, his reeling out of statistics and a comparative analogy of the BJP-ruled States vis-a-vis Odisha to buttress his claim inkles at the second and the third hat of ‘miracles’ pulled out was PM Modi’s 2.5 years performance.
Politically, the Shah bravado (because when on demonetisation the BJP facing onslaught of united opposition, Shah didn’t show any concession to the BJD for supporting demonetisation), thus, has all ingredients for the State BJP to make a dive into elections when panchayat polls are round the corner.
However, only a reality check of missiles torpedoed at the BJD by Shah could spell out the gain or loss. Hence, here is the balance sheet of PM Modi’s largesse to Odisha.
Amit Shah: Odisha received more money from the Centre. A whopping Rs 63,000 crore to come Odisha’s way from mere Rs 23,000 crore in 2013. Odisha is receiving more Central transfer now.
BJD: The BJP Government has robbed Odisha’s pocket of the 14th Finance Commission award for the fiscal year 2016-17 by around Rs 4, 553 crore.
Reality: As per Budget documents, Odisha received Rs 15, 247 crore in 2013-14 via tax devolution from the Centre. Following the 14th Finance Commission recommendations, its largesse grew to Rs 23, 573.75 crore in 2015-16 and further to around Rs 26, 567.56 crore in the 2016-17 Budget Estimates (BE). Thus, Odisha has received more revenue from the Centre.
But why the BJD still feels robbed of: The 14th FC mandated Rs 31, 028 crore to
Odisha from tax devolution for 2016-17.
However, the 14th FC has a rider: Provided divisible pool of the Centre amounts to Rs 668, 425 crore. In reality, divisible pool in budget 2016-17 is estimated at Rs 570,337 crore only. Reason: The 14th FC estimated the gross tax revenue of the Centre for 16-17 at Rs 18, 027, 87 crore. But the 16-17 actual budgeted gross tax revenue is mere Rs 13, 770, 22 crore.
Amit Shah: Odisha received more aid under various yojanas for farmers, rural development, roads, drinking water, electricity and health sectors.
BJD: Following changes in the funding pattern, Odisha lost huge funds from its legitimate share.
Reality: Farm aid to Odisha dropped from Rs 784 crore to Rs 532 crore in 2015-16. Drinking water: Odisha received Rs 103 crore against Rs 317 crore in 2013-14. Odisha saw a whopping Rs 333 crore slashing in ICDS, Rs 9 crore in NRlM, Rs 217 crore under MDM and Rs 35 crore less under MPF. Overall, Odisha got Rs 1,051 crore less in 2015-16 from 2013-14.
Odisha reaped Rs 2,077 crore bonanzas under the Central flagship schemes in 2015-16 vis-a-vis 2013-14. PMGSY - Rs 624 cr more, IAY - 139 cr more, SSA - Rs 82 cr more, MGNREGA - Rs 744 cr more, Nirmal Bharat - Rs 571 cr more.