The Fifteenth Finance Commission Monday said Odisha has a huge scope to become a driver of India's economic progress.
"Odisha has a huge scope in terms of becoming a driver and among front leaders of India's economic development process," 15th Finance Commission Chairman N K Singh told reporters here.
Singh said: "It (Odisha) has lagged behind, no doubt. We will try to see how this can best be addressed, and the role of finance commission which can play in this regard."
Singh was here Monday for starting the commission's three-day consultation programme during which Odisha government will submit its memorandum for 2020-2025.
Singh said the FC will have wide ranging consultation with the state government, political parties and other stakeholders like the chambers of commerce.
"Of course, we have an important role as far as three- tire bodies are concerned. We will talk to urban local bodies and panchayati raj institutions. So, it is fairly full wide ranging consultation with multiple stakeholders," Singh said.
He said that the commission, during its three-day interaction, would like to understand the opportunities and challenges of the economic development of Odisha.
This apart, the Commission will undertake field visits to take stock of the state government's poverty eradication programme Odisha Livelihood Mission (OLM) - an autonomous society under the aegis of the Odisha government.
The commission members will also visit Self Help Groups (SHGs), drinking water projects, cyclone shelters, and other development projects.
"The finance commission chairman has arrived today and its members will come here tomorrow. We will like to project the state's requirements for the next five years from 2020." Finance Minister S B Behera said.
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