The Odisha Budget and Accountability Centre and the Policy Research and Advocacy Unit of the CYSD organised a consultation on “People’s Priorities in State Budget 2016-17” here on Tuesday.
Members of the civil society presented people’s priorities in six social sectors, pre-school education, elementary education, health, water and sanitation, tribal development, women and agriculture and livelihood (economic sector).
Joining the meeting, Finance Department Special Secretary AK Mishra said funds should be allocated to the areas on the basis of the people’s priorities.
Institute of Public Finance and Policy Professor Dr Tapas Sen gave a presentation on ‘SDGs and Public Financing in Odisha’ on the occasion.
Sen said, “The State has a vital role in social sector expenditure. The tax and GDP ratio in Odisha must increase from the existing 6 per cent to 8 per cent. Maintenance expenditure needs to be 10 per cent of the original investment.”
Former State Finance Minister Panchanan Kanungo said untapped areas should be explored for resource generation. Arvind Behera said an interdepartmental cell should be set up for good governance and to assess the outcome of the public expenditure and linking the priority areas to the resources.
Additional Secretary, Finance Department, DJ Jena also spoke on the occasion.
OBAC programme manager Basant Nayak gave welcome address and said about the objective of the programme. Around 70 participants from the Finance Department, development organisations, scholars, experts and media attended the consultation.