Odisha H&UD Department Charts Urban Reform Roadmap with 6th Finance Commission
In a decisive move to reshape Odisha’s urban governance, the Housing & Urban Development (H&UD) Department convened a high-level meeting with the 6th State Finance Commission at Kharavela Bhawan.
The session spotlighted a comprehensive blueprint aimed at synchronising departmental strategies with the Commission’s fiscal vision.
Key discussions centred on establishing benchmarks for incentive grants, enhancing urban governance, and enforcing fiscal discipline.
The department emphasised sanitation upgrades, human resource development, and capacity-building programs for Urban Local Bodies (ULBs). Plans for dedicated Project Management Units (PMUs) and improved financial oversight were also unveiled.
A sector-specific funding roadmap spanning 2026–27 to 2030–31 was proposed to boost internal revenue generation for ULBs. The meeting was led by Commission Chairman Dr. Arun Kumar Panda, alongside members Prof. Asit Rajan Mohanty, Dr. Bibhu Prasad Nayak, and Dr. Satyapriya Ratha. Representing the H&UD Department were Principal Secretary Smt. Usha Padhee and senior officials.
This strategic alignment reinforces Odisha’s commitment to the Viksit Odisha @2036 and Viksit Bharat @2047 visions, paving the way for sustainable urban transformation amid rapid urbanisation.
