Bhubaneswar: A new tug of war has now ensued between Odisha and the Centre with the former deciding to skip the two-day meeting of collectors of backward districts convened by Niti Aayog to be held at New Delhi from tomorrow.
Official sources said Odisha government is unhappy over the appointment of senior officers by Niti Aayog as in-charges of backward districts.
Odisha government has alleged that such appointments were done without consultation with the State and the Centre is meddling in the affairs of the State.
“The manner in which appointment of officers were notified to us by Centre was totally unjustified and it will create confusion,” said Odisha Finance Minister, Sashi Bhusan Behera.
Niti Aayog has identified 115 districts including eight from Odisha to initiate developmental programs in several areas including health, basic infrastructure and road connectivity.
Senior officials claimed that Odisha had already given charge to Secretary rank officers to review various developmental works in backward areas of the state.
The new appointment of in-charge officers by the Centre will create unnecessary confusion if the proposals of the Niti Aayog are implemented in the State.
“Odisha government is not at all serious for development of backward regions or else there is no reason to oppose it as the entire country has accepted the move,” said Union Minister Jual Oram.
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