Parliament Question: Odisha's request for flexible norms under the 15th Finance Commission

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF FINANCE DEPARTMENT OF EXPENDITURE RAJYA SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 394 TO BE ANSWERED ON TUESDAY, 3rd FEBRUARY, 2026 MAGHA 14, 1947 (SAKA) ODISHA'S REQUEST FOR FLEXIBLE NORMS UNDER THE 15TH FINANCE COMMISSION 394. Shri Niranjan Bishi Will the Minister of Finance be pleased to state: (a) whether the Ministry is considering Odisha's request for flexible norms under the 15th Finance Commission to allow higher borrowing limits for disaster-prone States; and (b) if so, the details thereof, if not, the reasons therefor? ANSWER MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF FINANCE (SHRI PANKAJ CHAUDHARY) (a) to (b) The Union Government applies a common yardstick and generally follows the fiscal limits mandated by the accepted recommendations of the Finance Commission while exercising the power to approve borrowings by State Governments under Article 293(3) of the Constitution of India. At present, there is no proposal under consideration to allow higher borrowing limits to disaster-prone States including the State Government of Odisha. Further, the details of Disaster Management grants released to the State Government of Odisha based on the recommendation of the 15th Finance Commission during its award period 2021-22 to 2025-26 (upto 23.01.2026) are given in the Annexure.Annexure referred to in the answer of part (a) to (b) Rajya Sabha Unstarred question no. 394 for reply on 03.02.2026 Details regarding release of 15th Finance Commission recommended Disaster Management grants to Government of Odisha during its award period FY 2021-22 to FY 2025-26 (Rs. in crore) 2025-26 2024-25 Components 2021-22 2022-23 2023-24 (upto 23.01.2026) Grants-in-aid for State Disaster 1283.20 1348.00 1415.20 1485.60 1560.00 Response Fund (SDRF) Grants-in-aid for State Disaster 320.80 168.50 522.30 371.40 195.00 Mitigation Fund (SDMF) Assistance from National Disaster 500.00 0.00 0.00 45.09 60.12 Response Fund (NDRF) Assistance from National Disaster 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 50.00 Mitigation Fund (NDMF) Total 2104.00 1516.50 1937.50 1902.09 1865.12 *****