Bhubaneswar, Nov 7: The Orissa government today urged the Centre to provide funds for strengthening the infrastructure of panchayati raj institutions.

The issue was raised during a meeting between Union minister for panchayati raj V. Kishore Chandra Deo and Orissa chief minister Naveen Patnaik here today.

Naveen urged the Union minister to make provision of funds for construction of buildings for the panchayati raj institutions and appointment of staff.

“I will look into this issue and ensure release of funds for Orissa,” Deo told newspersons here after the meeting.

Issue of land patta to the tribals under the Forest Rights Act also figured during the discussions.

The Union minister, who also holds the tribal affairs portfolio, was informed that land pattas had already been issued to around three lakh tribals and other traditional forest dwellers in Orissa and the process would be completed by December end.

Officials sources said land patta for over 4.63 lakh acres were distributed among 2.85 lakh tribals and other traditional forest dwellers.

Besides, 53,942 acres of forestland was given to 235 communities.

Other issues such as giving soft loan to tribal students for higher studies, inclusion of various tribes of the state in the list of scheduled tribes and opening of more residential schools in the tribal areas were also discussed at the meeting.

Requests were made by the Orissa government to the Union minister for sanction of B.Ed. colleges and teacher and nursing training schools for tribal students in the next five-year plan.

More central assistance was also sought for the well being of primitive tribes, official sources said.