Odisha Fails to Utilise Central Fund for KBK

The State Government has come in for severe criticism from the Opposition political parties for failing to utilise funds meant for the tribal and backward areas even as ruling Biju Janata Dal (BJD) continues with its stand of Central neglect.

The State Government has come in for severe criticism from the Opposition political parties for failing to utilise funds meant for the tribal and backward areas even as ruling Biju Janata Dal (BJD) continues with its stand of Central neglect.

According to Planning and Coordination Minister Maheswar Mohanty, only Rs 49.70 crore (27.61 per cent) out of Rs 180 crore allocated for KBK districts under the Biju KBK Yojana between 2012-13 and 2013-14 has been spent.

In a written reply to a question from Santosh Singh Saluja (Cong) in the Assembly on Saturday, the Minister said the State Government provides Rs 120 crore annually for 80 blocks in the eight districts under KBK region.

He said while funds for 2012-13 had been allocated in full, Rs 60 crore was made available for 2013-14 till now.

Utilisation of funds has been the lowest in Balangir district as only Rs 62 lakh has been spent out of Rs 31.5 crore provided during the two years under the Yojana.

According to the districtwise data, out of Rs 31.5 crore allocated to Koraput district, only Rs 10.1 crore has been spent in these two years. Out of Rs 15.75 crore made available for Malkangiri, Rs 6.15 crore has been spent. Similarly, Nabarangpur district received Rs 22.5 crore and spent Rs 7.12 crore. Rayagada district got Rs 24.75 crore and has been able to spend `7.69 crore during the corresponding period.

While Sonepur spent Rs 8.16 crore out of Rs 13.5 crore it received, Kalahandi spent Rs 7.06 crore out of ` 29.25 crore and Nuapada spent Rs 2.8 crore out of Rs 11.25 crore released under the scheme.

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