Bhubaneswar: Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Saturday approved additional fund of Rs 175.5 crore for Special Development Councils (SDCs) in 9 districts.
This was stated by 5(T) secretary VK Pandian during a meeting with the chairmen of the councils on the day. With the additional grant, the total fund for the SDCs has gone up to Rs 351.5 crore.
The additional fund is besides the normal annual grant of Rs 175.5 crore for the councils. The additional fund will be utilised for promotion and conservation of tribal language, art, tradition and culture.
It may be noted that the state government has formed SDCs in the districts of Koraput, Malkangiri, Gajapati, Mayurbhanj, Rayagada, Keonjhar, Kandhmal, Sundargarh and Nabarangpur.
