The funds flow from the Government of India to Odisha has gone down drastically with a shortfall being over Rs 7,000 crore, for which the State Administration has raised concern.
While in 2019-20 it was anticipated by the State to receive Rs 16,822 crore as grants for Centrally-Sponsored Schemes (CSSs), it got only Rs 9,623 crore till December 26.
With the shortfall being about Rs 7,199 crore, senior officials of the State Government are making rounds in various Union Ministries, which are supposed to release Central grants to execute various programmes.
The funds flow for the Departments of Agriculture, Panchayati Raj, Rural Development, Works, Women & Child Development Health & Family Welfare, Forest & Environment and others have slowed down.
Senior Officials of the Resident Commissioner Office, New Delhi are frantically moving from one Ministry to the other requesting for release of Central shares in these CSSs as several programmes are facing hurdle due to funds crunch.
In fact, year after year, the funds flow for CSSs has gone down affecting implementation of the Central programmes in the State.
During 2018-19, the Union Government adopted funds-curtailment approach and more than Rs 3,100 crore is pending for payment towards Central shares for CSSs till date. The worst sufferer is the Panchayati Raj and Drinking Water Department, which is implementing the flagship programmes like MGNREGA.
While in 2019-20 the department was anticipating Rs 6,000 crore, only Rs 3,553 crore has been received. Providing 100 days of jobs to villagers is just not possible due to the fund crunch, said officials.
The Agriculture Department, which was expecting Rs 820 crore, has received only Rs 370 crore. Flagship programmes like RKVY, PKVY and PMKSY are facing funds crunch and these are major initiatives of the Union Government for doubling farmers’ income.
The ST & SC Development sector is also facing funds crunch as the State was anticipating Rs 1,000 crore during 2019-20, but as on date it has received Rs 587 crore.
The Women and Child Development Department was expecting Rs 1,218 crore in 2019-20 but has received only 753 crore, leaving a gap of nearly Rs 500 crore.
The Rural Development sector is facing a huge crunch as it was anticipated to receive Rs 1,740 crore towards CSSs but has received a meagre Rs 97 crore!
While on the political plain there is bonhomie between the BJD and the BJP, officials are clueless as to why the Central funds flow is dwindling.