The third State Finance Commission today recommended that the state provide Rs 2,641.35 crore grant to panchayati raj institutions and urban local bodies for their inclusive growth and capacity building.
A 264-page report of various recommendations was presented to Governor M.C. Bhandare and chief minister Naveen Patnaik by commission chairman Sudhakar Panda this afternoon.
“We have recommended that the state provide Rs 2,220.25 crore grant to panchayati raj institutions and Rs 421.10 crore to urban local bodies,” he said, adding that they laid stress on agriculture, animal husbandry, fishery and collection of minor forest produces. Panda said Rs 673.42 crore had been recommended for livelihood programmes. A sum of Rs 25 crore has been recommended as incentives to the handicraft artisans and weavers. The commission has also recommended a special package of assistance for minority Buddhist weavers.
The commission identified 186 educationally backward blocks and suggested incentives for girls and teachers. It recommended incentive allowance of Rs 100 per month for each girl studying in primary school, Rs 150 per month for upper primary and Rs 200 per month for high school female students. Incentives should also be given to teachers who teach girls beyond school hours and motivate them to come to school.