By Bizodisha Bureau, Bhubaneswar, March 15, 2021: Odisha lost central grants worth Rs 36,565 crore under state’s share in central taxes and duties and other sources during 2015-16 and 2019-20, according to state finance minister Niranjan Pujari.

In a written reply to the state assembly on Monday, Pujari said while 14th Finance Commission had recommended Rs 1,98,412 crore for Odisha during 2015-16 to 2019-20 under state’s share in central taxes and duties, grants for local bodies and disaster management fund, the state has received Rs 1,61,874 crore during the five year.

Out of total lost amount of Rs 36,565 crore with the Centre during the fiveyear period, state’s share under central taxes and duties is Rs 35,096 crore, disaster management fund is Rs 620 crore and local body grant of Rs 849 crore, said Pujari. He was responding to a query of senior BJD MLA Prafulla Samal.

The finance minister said Odisha has to bear additional resources after the Centre changed fund sharing pattern to 60:40 between the Centre and the state government under various centrally sponsored scheme and central scheme. Admitting to negative impact on state exchequer because of Covid-19, Pujari said there has been 7.69% growth compared to corresponding period of previous fiscal year in collection of state’s revenue from tax and non-tax sector by January-end.

Odisha received Rs 18,926 crore as its share from central taxes and duties by January, which is 24% less than the previous January, the amount received as central grants by January is estimated at Rs 17,632 crore, which is 17% less than amount received by corresponding period of previous year, said the minister’s reply.

While the Covid-19 pandemic has impacted the GST revenue collection, the Centre has allowed Odisha to borrow Rs 3,822 crore under special window during the 2020-21 financial year. The finance minister also admitted that the Centre has not accepted the recommendations of 14th finance commission on disaster management front.