The Centre has sanctioned Rs 13.48 crore to Orissa for conducting the Below Poverty Line (BPL) census, 2010. Out of it, Rs 5.64 crore has been released to the state in the first installment. The entire flow of fund would be in the nature of grant-in-aid (GIA), sources said.
The fund allocated to the state is in proportion to the projected rural population in Orissa as on March 2010. The Union ministry of rural development (MoRD) has communicated to the state government about the release of the funds.
No diversion of funds would be allowed and the funds would be utilised for the earmarked purpose. The Centre has urged the state to complete the census work in a time bound manner as per the guidelines to be issued by the ministry soon. However, no expenditure can be incurred out of this grant till the issue of guidelines.
It may be noted, BPL census is a Centrally funded activity subject to a ceiling of Rs 30 per household in north eastern states and difficult terrain states.
