Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Thursday expressed displeasure over the delay in releasing State’s interest share from the Central ad hoc fund for afforestation. He was presiding over the maiden meeting of the Compensatory Afforestation Fund Management and Planning Authority (CAMPA).
Official sources said that while the State Government has deposited Rs 3,779.84 crore in the Central fund by May this year, it sought Rs 238 crore as interest share. The Centre has released only Rs 131 crore in 2009-10.
Similarly, Union Ministry of Environment and Forest (MoEF), the custodian of the fund, released Rs 140 crore against a demand of Rs 238 crore in 2010-11. While the MoEF had sanctioned Rs 169 crore in 2011-12, it allocated Rs 265 crore against a demand of Rs 294 crore in 2012-13.
Patnaik directed officials to constitute a special purpose vehicle (SPV) for development of basic infrastructure in tribal hamlets where mining activities are carried out. He directed the authorities to develop mega nurseries in all forest circles and district headquarters.
It may be noted that CAMPA was constituted as per the guidelines laid down by the Supreme Court in 2009. As per the guidelines, the State Government collected funds from the agencies working in mining areas and deposited them in the Central adhoc fund.