Odisha achieves over 20 percent growth in revenue collection

Odisha has achieved around 20 percent growth in revenue collection and 28 percent growth in state plan expenditure as by end December, it was announced here on Thursday.

The figures were given at a meeting of all secretaries held under the chairmanship of Chief Secretary Aditya Prasad Padhi.

Development Commissioner R. Balakrishnan said the revenue generation from own tax sources by end of December has been Rs.15,118 crore recording a growth of 23.62 percent over the last fiscal year.

Similarly, revenue generation from non-tax sources has been to the tune of Rs.4,991 crore which is 9.38 percent more than that of the previous year, said a release.

The state plan expenditure by December end has also shown a growth of around 28 percent over the last year with total expenditure of Rs.24,750 crore, the release added.

Complimenting the secretaries for the satisfactory performance in revenue earning and plan expenditure, Padhi advised them to focus on completion of the incomplete projects and consolidation of the developmental initiatives already taken.

He also asked the secretaries to take up field tours seriously as per directions of the chief minister, as this exercise has yielded fruitful results.

The departments have been advised to make the expenditure outcome oriented.

Balakrishnan advised the departments to focus on arrear revenue collection and submission of utilization certificates.

The new open budget initiative, launched the state government to make the budgetary process more open and participative, was also discussed in the meeting.

Suggestions have been invited from the members of the public, civil society, advocacy groups and stakeholders for formulation of annual Budget 2016-17.