Kosal Discussion and Development Forum

Orissa may seek separate financial aid for the Western Orissa Development Council (WODC)

April 20, 2010 at 3:00 pm sanjibkarmee Leave a comment

Following is a report from expressbuzz.com:

BHUBANESWAR: The State Government is likely to seek separate financial assistance for the Western Orissa Development Council (WODC) from the Centre for all-round development of the region. 

A resolution to this effect was adopted at the last meeting of the WODC held here two months back. Members had maintained that as the Centre is sanctioning financial assistance to other such regional bodies elsewhere in the country, it should provide funds for the WODC also.  

Sources said that the issue may crop up during plan discussion Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik is scheduled to have with Deputy Chairperson of the Planning Commission Montek Singh Ahluwalia tomorrow in New Delhi.  

Under-development in the western Orissa districts is back in focus because of the large number of suicides committed by farmers. Extensive crop loss because of erratic monsoon had exposed lack of food security among the tribals and poorer section of the population of area.  

Besides inadequate infrastructure including lack of roads to many inaccessible areas, the health services in the area also do not always reach the needy. Though the State Government has increased the budget for the WODC to Rs 100 crore, it is still insufficient for the entire region.  

Several projects started by the council including medical colleges have been delayed because of shortage of funds among other reasons. Though it is not expected that the Centre will concede the demand for separate funding for the council immediately, placing such a proposal will focus on the backwardness of the area.  

Official sources said that a detailed plan of action to be taken up by the WODC should accompany such 

BHUBANESWAR: The State Government is likely to seek separate financial assistance for the Western Orissa Development Council (WODC) from the Centre for all-round development of the region.

A resolution to this effect was adopted at the last meeting of the WODC held here two months back. Members had maintained that as the Centre is sanctioning financial assistance to other such regional bodies elsewhere in the country, it should provide funds for the WODC also.

Sources said that the issue may crop up during plan discussion Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik is scheduled to have with Deputy Chairperson of the Planning Commission Montek Singh Ahluwalia tomorrow in New Delhi.

Under-development in the western Orissa districts is back in focus because of the large number of suicides committed by farmers. Extensive crop loss because of erratic monsoon had exposed lack of food security among the tribals and poorer section of the population of area.

Besides inadequate infrastructure including lack of roads to many inaccessible areas, the health services in the area also do not always reach the needy. Though the State Government has increased the budget for the WODC to Rs 100 crore, it is still insufficient for the entire region.

Several projects started by the council including medical colleges have been delayed because of shortage of funds among other reasons. Though it is not expected that the Centre will concede the demand for separate funding for the council immediately, placing such a proposal will focus on the backwardness of the area.

Official sources said that a detailed plan of action to be taken up by the WODC should accompany such demands.

Entry filed under: Athmallik, Balangir, Bargarh, Boudh, Deogarh, Developmental schemes for districts, India, Jharsuguda, Kalahandi, Nuapada, Region watch, Sambalpur, State Watch-Monitoring the Odisha State, Subarnapur, Sundergarh, Western Odisha development council.