Odisha seeks 25,000cr for disaster-proof power infra

:Odishahas asked the Centre to consider sanctioning Rs 25,000 crore for disaster-resilient power in cyclone-prone coastal areas of the state and Rs 900 crore for 1,000 mobile towers to improve connectivity in remote areas in the Union Budget to be presented by finance ministerNirmala Sitharaman.

These issues were raised by state finance ministerNiranjan Pujariin the pre-Budget consultation meeting with the Union FM, a senior government functionary said.
The state has pointed out that Cyclones

are almost an annual affair for Odisha, causing severe damages to the electrical infrastructure. Odisha has an estimated requirement of Rs 25,000 crore for the creation of disaster-resilient infrastructure with selective underground cabling up to 30km from the coastline. The Centre should consider extending the necessary financial support to Odisha and other cyclone-prone states for disaster-resilient power Network, Odisha has told the Centre.

It has also sought to include private distributor companies under any of Centres power reforms scheme. This apart, it has sought central aid

for the proposed new power projects at Upper Indravati (600MW),Balimela(510MW) andUpper Kolab(320MW).

Stating that Odisha has the most number of villages (6,278) without mobile connectivity, the state has sought financial aid for 1,000 mobile towers to be installed at a cost of Rs 1,000 crore. Notably, the Union Cabinet had earlier this month approved 3,933 mobile towers (Rs 3,200 crore).

Odisha has also requested the Centre to upgrade 256 mobile towers in Left-Wing extremism-affected areas to standard 4G towers for better coverage and data capability.

Odisha has asked the Centre to continue with the GST compensation to the states beyond July 2022, at least till 2025-2026 citing that in recent years the states own tax revenue as a Percentage of gross state domestic product (GSDP) has declined, especially since the introduction of the GST.