Odisha government submits memorandum to 14th Finance Commission, seeks Rs 4.6 lakh crore

BHUBANESWAR: The Odisha government submitted a memorandum to the 14th Finance Commission and demanded about Rs 4.6 lakh crore for the 2015-2020 period besides urging the panel to modify the sharing pattern of SDRF between the Centre and the state, official sources said.

Besides seeking Rs 4,59,839.80 crore, the state government made a detailed presentation on the state's finance, its projection for the award period and gave its views on the terms and reference of the commission, they said.

During the presentation, it also highlighted the macro economic situation, achievements of the state, plan priorities and need to increase the capital expenditure especially in the area of infrastructure.

A separate presentation was also made on disaster management, wherein the state stressed the need for immediate release of relief funds from the centre and also the need to increase the size of SDRF.

The commission, headed by chairman VV Reddy, also interacted with representatives of political parties, PRIs, ULBS, Trade and Industry Associations. The commission visited sea erosion sites and Wetland Research Centre at Chandraput, Balugaon. Another team visited Chilika Development Authority.

Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik who met the commission demanded an increase in the state's share from central revenue from 32 to 50 per cent.

"The past trend growth rate should not be the basis for assessment of revenues and expenditure needs as these underestimate the expenditure requirement of relatively poorer state," he said.

The chief minister also drew attention of the Finance Commission on the windfall profit being made by mine owners, saying "the states should get benefit by imposing mineral resource rent tax".