By Our Correspondent
BHUBANESWAR/NEW DELHI: Union PNG-Steel Miniser Dharmendra Pradhan was on Tuesday claimed that Odisha continued to get special attention from Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Modi Government has always worked with the guiding spirit of co-operative federalism putting the interests of states on priority. Odisha has been receiving special attention by the Modi Government and has been massively benefiting from the support extended by the central government in close coordination with the state government, Pradhan said.
Odisha has witnessed timely and effective intervention by the central government during natural disasters and the Covid-19 pandemic. A few months ago, Odisha was hit by Cyclone Amphan leading to the need for massive relief and rehabilitation efforts. Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi promptly sanctioned Rs. 500 crores for the rehabilitation efforts.
In development works also, Odisha has been getting special attention. Odisha also was the beneficiary of an advance release of Rs. 271.75 crores as first installment for non-million-plus cities. Under the landmark Jal Jeevan Mission, Rs. 812 crores has been sanctioned for Odisha to ensure that each household in the state gets potable water supply of 55 lpcd of prescribed quality on regular and long-term basis.
“With this context, today I would like to thank Hon’ble Prime Minister and Hon’ble Finance Minister Smt. Nirmala Sitharaman for the recent release of GST compensation of Rs. 5,122 crores to Odisha for FY 2019-20. The Centre has released total GST compensation of Rs. 1,65,302 crores to all the States/UTs. The GST compensation for Odisha has been increasing continuously over the past 3 years. It had gone up from Rs. 4,074 crores in 2017-18 to Rs. 4,867 crores in 2018-19, again increasing by 5.23%,” he said.
This increased GST compensation to Odisha will provide relief for revenue losses suffered by the state due to slowing down of economic activities in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic. It will also enhance the state’s fiscal space for boosting developmental activities.
“I once again thank Hon’ble PM Narendra Modi for his unwavering commitment for Odisha as a major driver of development in Eastern India under the larger vision of Purvodaya of ensuring eastern India-led national growth,” the Union Minister added.
