Innovation fund in every district

BHUBANESWAR: The State Government has decided to set up innovation fund in the districts for increasing the efficiency of capital assets which have been created through different projects and schemes.  Sources said that Chief Secretary Bijay Kumar Patnaik has directed the district collectors to suggest specific proposals for innovation works. It has been decided that ` 1 crore will be provided to each district for filling the vital gaps in public infrastructure already available in the district. Funds will be made available  from the current financial year.  The administrative reforms cell will work as nodal agency for the implementation of the programmes. The Thirteenth Finance Commission (TFC) has recommended a grant of ` 9,658.76 crore in favour of the State to be utilised under broad heads like local bodies, elementary education, grants for specific needs and disaster relief against which ` 1,374.09 crore has been budgeted for 2011-12.   In the recommendations of the TFC, ` 350 crore has been suggested for up-gradation of health infrastructure, ` 60 crore for establishment of market yards, ` 1,022 crore for maintenance of roads and bridges, ` 30 crore for improvement in statistical system, ` 3,270.90 crore for urban local bodies and panchayati raj institutions, ` 178.50 crore as incentive for issuing UID cards, ` 30 crore for district innovation fund and ` 65 crore for preservation of monuments and Buddhist heritage. It has been decided that the TFC grants for development of market yards will be supplemented by RMC funds of the State Government in the development of market yards. The chief secretary has directed the Cooperation Department to construct market yards focusing on convenience of producers of different agro-products and farmers. The design of the yards should be site specific to suit their requirement. The hats and market places will be developed with sheds, garbage disposal systems and water supply. Besides, the techniques of statistical data collection, data analysis and data validation would also be done in harmony with concerned departments to make statistics more reliable and meaningful.