… fund flow from the center to states takes place in one of the following four ways:

1. Proportionate Tax Devolution as specified by Finance Commission
2. Grant in aid  again following the Finance Commission formula
3. Central Investments (at sole discretion of federal government)
4. Loans (at discretion of federal & state government)

It is obvious from the above mechanism that federal government enjoys absolute discretion only in the matter of central investments. Central benevolence towards specific states can be decided only on the basis of the investments it is making there.

For a judicious assessment of UPA led central government it would be pertinent to consider a period starting from 1st April 2004 till date. A cursory look at the figures for the period under consideration, as exhibited in the following chart, has an interesting story to tell. Four states, viz. Maharashtra, West Bengal, Uttar Pradesh and Gujarat, together make up for 50% of the central investments. In rupees terms, their share corresponds to one lac five thousand fifty five crores (INR 10,55,52,13,00,000) of the total central investments of two lac nine thousand and fifty crores (INR 20,90,47,34,00,000).  Further, a major chunk of this has been allocated to just two states that is Maharashtra at 16% and West Bengal at 15%. In contrast, Bihar got only 3.87% of the central investments. Madhya Pradesh (3%), Rajasthan (3%) and Orissa (2%) lagged further behind.

I am not sure how the above was calculated. But if the numbers are right then this should be brought to the notice of the Odisha government and leaders.  (Thanks to Kanhu Roul for the pointer.)

I believe there is a easy solution to this: Develop the Naraj station to have express train stops and develop the accessibility of the Naraj station from the roads that goes from Naraj to Bidanasi side of Cuttack.

I wrote about it earlier in http://www.orissalinks.com/orissagrowth/archives/1967. Following are some excerpts from that article.

Naraj Station lies across Kathjodi river about 1 km away from the bridge. It is about 2 kms from the proposed 2nd campus of Ravenshaw university, 3-4 km from Bidanasi-CDA and within 1 km from the proposed Sri Sri University. 

Several trains in the BBS (Bhubaneswar)-SBP (Sambalpur) line such as 2893 (BBS-BLGR superfast), 8304 (Puri-SBP Intercity), 8405 (Puri-ADI), 8507 (VSK-ASR) skip Cuttack and go via Naraj without stopping there. By developing the Naraj station a bit more, developing the road between the station and the bridge, and introducing stops at Naraj station people in Cuttack will be able to easily access these trains.

… Naraj is really very close to Cuttack; much close to Cuttack than Barang or the proposed station between Barang and Patia. Also, Naraj station is much closer to the newer parts of Cuttack (such as CDA and Bidanasi) than the Cuttack station. Also, a lot of development is planned near Naraj that includes the Sri Sri University, National Law University and 2nd campus of Ravenshaw University. …

There were some concerns regarding the overlap with the proposed New Barang station between Patia and Bhubaneswar. I think with the rate Cuttack-Bhubaneswar are is growing even if a major station in the form of a New Barang station comes up, it will be still a good idea to have a express stop station in Naraj.

In the not too far future the greater Bhubaneswar area would need five stations: Khurda Rd, Bhubaneswar, New Barang, Cuttack and Naraj. The following map shows the five stations and the distance between them.

• Odisha industrial policy and OIEPO.
• Odisha Tourism.
• Odisha geographical location and its bounties.
• Fast progress of Information Technology in Odisha.
• Power reform in Odisha.
• Mineral resources of Odisha.
• Cement and Sugar in Odisha.
• Private investment encouraged in health care in Odisha.
• Industrialization of Odisha.
• Steel and aluminum in Odisha.
• Power situation in Odisha.
• Getting approvals to set up industry in Odisha; SLSWC and HLC.
• Odisha transportation situation.
• New ports to come up in Odisha.
• 146 proposals cleared by state level single window clearance (SLSWC).