Ganjam ZP chief, members demand dev funds

Fifth State Finance Commission Chairman Rabinarayan Senapati, during his tour to Ganjam district, presided over a meeting held at the Ganjam Collectorate at Chhatrapur on Wednesday.

He collected essential inputs and opinions of the different elected representatives and other stakeholders present in the meeting for allocation of grants by the Fifth Finance Commission for different welfare projects and their proper utilisation.

He discussed threadbare the requirements of different departments with the elected representatives, received constructive suggestions and problems they encounter in meeting the needs of the public as well as in utilising the grant.

According to information available, the Fifth Finance Commission will recommend to the State Government for allocation of funds to various departments and pro-public projects based on the suggestions and feedbacks received from the elected representatives.

Key elected representatives and officials at the grassroots level including the President and Vice-President of Zilla Parishad, Members of Zilla Parishad, Chairpersons of different NACs and Chairpersons of Blocks were invited to the meeting to submit and share their opinions and requirements keeping public perceptions in mind.

During deliberations and sharing opinions with these key representatives, Zilla Parishad president Subash Chandra Behera and Vice Chairman Snehalata Panda reportedly submitted their proposal for allocation of a special fund for Zilla Parishad President, Zilla Parishad Vice-President, and for each Member of Zilla Parishad so as to address the public needs better and requested the Chairman of Fifth Finance Commission to project these new provisions in his recommendation in the greater  interest of  public.

In addition to these public welfare schemes, the Commission and the Members reportedly stressed on the  provision for allocation of grants periodically in phases to improve facilities and build infrastructure for conducting weekly Haats in Panchayats, for opening of wholesale market, infrastructure improvement and amenities in places of tourist importance, development and revamping of existing weekly Haats currently functioning in different panchayats; development of different water sports, construction of Kalyan Mandap in strategic places of community interest to find place in the upcoming recommendations of the Fifth Finance Commission .