Asking BJD government in Odisha to refrain from politicising the Union Budget, BJP leader and Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan today claimed the state's share would jump by Rs 8,000 crore annually as per the recommendation of the 14th Finance Commission.
"As per the 14th Finance Commission recommendation, Odisha's share goes up to Rs 24,416 crore per year from Rs 16,630 crore earlier, registering an increase of about Rs 8,000 crore," the Petroleum Minister told reporters here.
Stating that both general and railway Budget as well as 14th Finance Commission recommendation sought to give more financial power to states, Pradhan said mineral bearing states like Odisha would also gain substantially from auction of mines following the Centre's decision.
Terming as unfounded Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik's claim that Odisha was neglected and made to lose, the Union Minister said there would be a positive impact after increase of Central taxes from 32 per cent to 42 per cent.
On Patnaik's statement that no Central allocation was made for Nabakalebara-2015 of Lord Jagannath, Pradhan said state government should not politicise all these issues as the Centre is committed to achieve cooperative federalism and there would be no dearth of funds for the mega event.
Hitting out at the state government accusing it of sending two confusing proposals on Nabakalebar festival to the Centre, Pradhan said the Centre would provide all forms of assistance to the state to ensure successful holding of the grand event due in July this year.
The Union minister also dismissed Patnaik's apprehension that Odisha's share in tax devolution would come down from 4.78 per cent to 4.60 per cent, he said in real terms the quantum would increase.
While railway budget size has been substantially enhanced, general budget includes several historic provisions like Atal Pension Yojana and Pradhan Mantri Sinchai Yojana, Pradhan said, adding that all these would immensely benefit states like Odisha.
