By Express News Service
BHUBANESWAR: With pre-budget consultations between Centre and states kicking off, Odisha authorities on Monday reiterated its demand for fixing the sharing sample within the Centrally Sponsored Schemes (CSS) on par with North-Eastern (NE) and Himalayan states.
The sharing sample of CSS for NE and Himalayan states is 90 per cent for Centre and 10 per cent for the latter.
Participating within the session assembly convened by Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman by way of video-conference, State Finance Minister Niranjan Pujari mentioned that the Centre ought to give advance indication on Central help for CSS and launch funds as per dedication.
The Centre ought to cease off-budget transfers of funds for CSS, he mentioned and added, even whether it is an off-budget useful resource, it must be routed by way of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI). He additionally requested that states must be allowed to function CSS instantly as a substitute of opening separate scheme-based financial institution accounts.
In the 2020-21 price range, the State authorities had estimated its share in Central taxes at Rs 36,300 crore and grant-in-aid of Rs 32,000 crore, which, totalling Rs 68,300 crore, was 55 per cent of its personal price range of Rs 1,50,000 crore. However, the price range went haywire due to the Covid-19 pandemic because the economic system got here to standstill.
In view of the fluid state of affairs prevailing now, the Finance Minister mentioned that ample provisions must be made for piped ingesting water tasks, livelihood and employment technology programmes.
Pujari mentioned that steps must be taken by the Centre for addressing energy sector points like modification in tariff coverage to terminate very outdated energy buy agreements (PAAs) and modification of Electricity Act, 2003 to permit all hydro tasks beneath the Renewable Purchase Obligation (RPO).
Besides, steps must be taken to allow the distribution firms/State’s bulk energy procurers to take part in tenders floated by Solar Energy Corporation of India (SECI) for procurement of bundled energy for discount in buy price of distribution firms, he mentioned.
Calling for allocation of at the least Rs 5,650 crore for the telecom sector in Odisha for 2021-22 within the Union Budget, the Minister mentioned that adequate funds must also be allotted for growth and upkeep of nationwide highways.
The Finance Minister mentioned a provision of at the least Rs 7,200 crore must be made for railway infrastructure in Odisha for dashing up the continuing tasks, sanctioning of latest strains, station modernisation, institution of rail-based industries and growth of multi-modal logistics parks.
Pujari mentioned there must be modification of related provisions within the Central Sales Tax Act, 1956 to ban misuse of ‘C’ kinds by producers, mining and works contractors for inter-state buy of excessive pace diesel by paying CST at two per cent.
Steps must be taken to step by step eradicate cess and surcharge on the customs obligation and direct taxes, he mentioned.
DEMANDS90:10 CSS sharing sampleRs 7,200 cr for railway infraRs 5,650 cr for telecom sectorAmendment of Central Sales Tax Act, 1956 to ban misuse of ‘C’ kinds
