Odisha Govt obstructing Panchayats to spend Central Funds: Dharmendra Pradhan

Union Petroleum and Natural Gas Minister Dharmendra Pradhan has  vehemently criticised the Odisha Government for not allowing free hand to Panchayats to spend the funds under Central Government Scheme.

Addressing a public meeting at Rasalpur Panchayat in Balasore District of Odisha on Tuesday, the Minister said, despite the Central Government’s  direct financial assistance to the Panchayats, the state Government has not been providing adequate freedom to make required plans and spend money according to their own needs.

Minister Pradhan also expressed his concern over the implementation of NFSA in Odisha. He said that the State Government is yet to finalize the list of NFSA beneficiaries.

Pradhan also urged the Odisha Government to deposit NFSA subsidy directly to the Bank Accounts of the beneficiaries as the center has made in case of LPG subsidy.

The P&NG Minister questioned, why the State Government is  unable to deposit money to only 70 lakh people where as the Narendra Modi Government has successfully deposited LPG subsidy  to as many as 17 crore people across the country.