PRIs, ULBs to lose performance grants

BHUBANESWAR: The panchayati raj institutions (PRIs) and urban local bodies (ULBs) are likely to lose Rs 125 crore of performance grants from the 13th Finance Commission as the State Government has failed to appoint an ombudsman for grievance redressal against their functioning. Because of this, Odisha will be debarred from getting such a huge grant.The State Government had proposed to empower the  Lokpal to investigate any complaint against these elected leaders.Accordingly, a proposal was mooted in the State Cabinet to bring an amendment to the Odisha Lokpal and Lokayuktas Act to include elected PRI and ULB chairpersons and members under its jurisdiction as “public servants”.But the Bill was not tabled in the winter session.