Dismissing the charge of Central discrimination, as alleged by Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, as not based on fact, Minister of State in the PMO V Narayanasamy on Monday reeled out statistics to drive home his point. He said budgetary allocations for Odisha has increased by 48 per cent in 2012-13 compared to the previous year.
The Centre is focusing on the development of backward States like Odisha, Narayanasamy said, adding that the Plan size for the current fiscal has been agreed at Rs 17,200 cr against an outlay of Rs 12,300 cr for 2011-12. Besides the routine budgetary allocations, there was additional provision of Rs 8,500 cr for the State in 2011-12 for different schemes under the Centrally-sponsored programmes (CSPs).
Narayanasamy assured that allocations for Odisha in 2012-13 railway budget would not be curtailed. But he charged that the overall performance of the State Government has been poor as it has failed to achieve targets in different schemes despite availability of funds. It should try to reach the goals fixed by the Planning Commission, he said.
Narayanasamy said the decision for devolution of funds for the States is taken at the National Development Council (NDC) meeting presided over by the Prime Minister and attended by the chief ministers. The suggestions of the chief ministers are also taken, he said, adding that Naveen should not have any reservations about this now.
On the issue of allegations against Union Law Minister Salman Khurshid, Narayanasamy said the Uttar Pradesh Government has started an inquiry and nothing should be said till it is over. It is easy to make allegations, but unless it is proved, the person is innocent. To a question on the allegations against Robert Vadra, Narayanasamy said the Government has nothing to do with individuals running private business unless there is a written complaint.