Bhubaneswar: Over the years though Western Odisha districts were given more funds by Western Odisha Development Council, however most of the districts have not been able to utilize the entire funds.
However, some of the districts have been able to spend Lion’s Share of the Grants, reveals a Financial Review from 1999 to 2021, long 22 years.
Among the Districts of Western Odisha, Sundargarh has received highest amount and has been successful in spending the funds in a big way, thanks to initiatives of the District Administration, feel senior officials.
Since the inception in 1999, Western Odisha Development Council (WODC) has received Rs.1662 Crore Grants from Odisha Government and by 31 January, 2021 it has spent Rs.1484Crore, so unspent amount is left Rs.178 Crore.
Funds have been distributed among the 10 districts of Western Odisha and Athamallik Sub Division of Angul District and so far performance is concerned, Sundargarh has outsmarted all.
Since 1999, the tribal dominated district has received Rs.275.2 Crore and spending is Rs.274.7 Crore.
Administrative Approval for Kalahandi was Rs.228.83 Crore, where as WODC released Rs.224.66 Crore spending is Rs.214.12 Crore.
For Balangir Administrative Approval was for Rs.219.18 Crore, WODC released Rs.217.41 Crore and Expenditure incurred Rs.197.44 Crore.
Similarly, for Bargarh Administrative approval was for Rs.218.57 Crore, WODC released Rs.217.41 Crore and spending was Rs.205.36 Crore.
For Sambalpur Administrative Approval was for Rs.203.36 Crore, WODC released Rs.187.76 Crore and spending was Rs.171.82 Crore.
Administrative approval for Jharsuguda was Rs.103.63 Crore, WODC released Rs.103.41 Crore and Spending was Rs.84.14 Crore.
It may be pointed out that a senior political personality had served as Chairman WODC for five long and he belonged to Jharsuguda.
However Expenditure of Jharsuguda District was not that encouraging, officials point out.
Subarnapur received Administrative approval for Rs.99.37 Crore and WODC released Rs.91.46 Crore and Expenditure was Rs.84.37 Crore.
Nuapada received Rs.94.78 Crores of Administrative approval and WODC released Rs.93.72 Crore, however spending was Rs.83.89 Crore.
Boudh received Administrative approval for Rs.81.35 Crore, WODC released Rs.80.94 Crore and Expenditure was Rs.76.99 Crore.
Angul received Administrative approval for Rs.38.87 Crore, WODC released entire Amount and Expenditure has been Rs. 36.38 Crore.
So out of total funds of Rs.1484 Crore released by WODC, spending has been 93 Percent.
Now with state Government deciding to hike Annual Grant from Rs.100 Crore to Rs.200 Crore, capacity of spending in the districts, need to be scaled up, so that additional funds that will be pumped into the districts will be spent to fill the critical supply chain gaps in promising sectors of economy of Western Districts, say officials.