BHUBANESWAR: Union minister Dharmendra Pradhan here on Sunday said the concerns flagged up by chief minister Naveen Patnaik over Fifteenth Finance Commission’s (FFC) terms of reference (ToR) are unfounded.Addressing a news conference at BJP state headquarters, Dharmendra said Naveen’s apprehension that use of 2011 Census data as base for devolution of funds, instead of Census 1971, will reduce fund flow is not true. “It is not for the first time that an FC will use Census 2011 data. The 14th FC also gave 10% weightage to Census 2011 data but shares of states in central taxes went up from 32% to 42%,” Dharmendra said.Moreover, the FFC has provisions to reward states which have done well in population control measures. Since Odisha has lowered its population growth, it stands to gain, he said.On Friday, Naveen wrote a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi objecting to shift from 1971 to 2011 Census data, pushing for Centre’s agenda and curtailing the commission’s freedom. Naveen pointed out that “the imperative of New India 2022 seem to nudge the commission to adopt a particular stance.”Dharmendra said Naveen should understand that New India 2022 is all about roads to all habitations, electricity to all households and pucca houses for all, for which no one should have any objection.Putting reforms and performance at the core, the FFC would reward states which have successfully implemented various schemes, increased state’s tax revenue, have taken steps for disaster preparedness, strengthened panchayatiraj institutions. “Since Naveen has been claiming to be performing well in all spheres, he should be happy. But he is probably apprehensive that he would not be able to get a freehand in spending on populist schemes because the FFC will have an eye on such expenditure,” the BJP leader said.Referring to Naveen’s Ama Gaon, Ama Vikas' (Our Village, our development) programme, under which Naveen directly sanctions funds for panchayats, Dharmendra said such populism bypassing the elected panchayat representatives will be hit by the FFC, he added.Dharmendra said the Naveen Patnaik government has blindly followed Tamil Nadu in objecting to the panel’s terms of reference instead of trying to understand it on its own, adding there is no compromise on the commission’s independence. Instead of complaining, the state should put forth its suggestions before the commission effectively.To a query on whether there will be net gain in share of funds, Dharmendra said that will depend on how effectively the state has fared in reforms and implementation of schemes.

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