Other States - Orissa

Special package for 3 sectors sought

BHUBANESWAR: Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Tuesday urged the Chairman of 13th Finance Commission, Vijay L. Kelkar, to provide a special package for three additional sectors to accelerate the pace of development in the State.

During his meeting with Dr. Kelkar in New Delhi, Mr. Patnaik mentioned that his government would like to initiate special development projects in the tribal districts, particularly in two identified areas – nutrition for young children and education of tribal boys and girls. According to an official release, Mr. Patnaik further said that although the State pioneered a reform programme in the power sector and privatisation of distribution system, it was being penalised by being denied the benefit of the restructured accelerated power development and reforms programme of the Central government which envisages a total outlay of Rs. 51,577 crores in the States during the 11th Five Year Plan as the assistance under APDRP was not applicable for private distribution companies.

The Chief Minister said in order to make the distribution sector efficient and sustainable, the government was proposing infusion of funds to the tune of Rs. 600 crores for system improvement and upgradation of the distribution infrastructure of the power sector in the State so as to provide better services to consumers.

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