: The Odisha government has sought the intervention of Prime Minister Narendra Modi for release of assistance pledged under the World Bank-supported National Cyclone Risk Mitigation Project (NCRMP).
The State government implemented the NCRMP in 2010-11, and the project implementation period of five years will come to an end in October 2015. According to the State government, the implementation, which is in full swing, is now being held up due to delay in release of the Central share.
“Against the current year’s provision of Rs.255 crore, the State government has received Rs.155 crore. Funds in hand at the end of December 2014 are about Rs.40 crore whereas liabilities, in terms of claims of executants, exceed this amount,” Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik pointed out in a letter addressed to the PM on Monday.
He maintained, “Considering the success of the NCRMP (first phase), the Centre supported the proposal of the State Government towards the construction of 162 cyclone shelters and 100 approach roads with identical terms and conditions.”
Retroactive Funding
“The approved programme provided for retroactive funding amounting to Rs.120 crore. The State government went ahead with the implementation accordingly. However, we are yet to receive the allocation towards the Central Share (about Rs.90 crore). An amount of Rs.65.45 crore has been spent till the end of December 2014,” Mr. Patnaik stated.
“The implementation, though in full swing, is bound to suffer if allocation of central share is not released urgently,” Odisha Chief Minister said, adding that the issue had been taken up with the Union Finance Minister and secretaries of different departments.
Ironically, in its latest report, Comptroller and Auditor General of India criticised the State government for its failure to submit utilisation certificates of Central funds.
“Utilisation certificates for Rs. 1456.42 crore were pending from the executing agencies and collectors against the release of funds of Rs. 3,455.80 crore during 2007 to 2013,” the audit agency pointed out.
Centre supported the proposal of the State Government towards construction of 162 cyclone shelters and 100 approach roads
