States with outstanding performance should be encouraged

Bhopal: Chief Minister Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan has said that the states with outstanding performance, assessment and indices should be encouraged. Shri Chouhan chaired a meeting of Chief Ministers’ sub-group constituted under National Institution for Transforming India (NITI) for result-oriented and effective implementation of schemes and rationalisation of process for Central and state shares in Centrally-sponsored schemes.

The meeting discussed reduction in number of Centrally-sponsored schemes, free hand to states to choose schemes as per their needs, Central cooperation in improving administrative skills, bringing about flexibility in flexi fund schemes, requirements of border states like Jammu-Kashmir, backward areas like Bundelkhand, hilly and north-eastern states, chalk out schemes as per their specific requirements and make available Central grants.

Describing erstwhile Planning Commission’s work as a mere formality, the Chief Minister said that at that time sanction for annual plan had to be obtained within a few hours once a year. He desired NITI to continuously guide states and keep in constant touch with them. The sub-group entrusted task of chalking out a working draft to the working group headed by NITI ’s CEO Smt. Sindhushri Khullar. Next meeting of the sub-group will be held at Bhopal on May 28 where churning will made on working draft and sub-group’s recommendations will be written.

Before Bhopal meeting, members of the group will visit the states whose Chief Ministers are not members of the sub-group. Their views and suggestions will also be accommodated in the final report.

Chief Ministers of Manipur, Arunachal Pradesh, Jharkhand and Rajasthan and Finance Minister of Jammu Kashmir referred to difficult conditions in the states and put forth significant suggestions. Chief Ministers of Uttar Pradesh, Kerala and Tailangana also sent written suggestions. NITI’s Vice-Chairman Shri Arvind Pangarhiya, CEO Smt. Sindhushri Khullar, Madhya Pradesh’s Chief Secretary Shri Anthony de Sa and concerning officers of Central and state governments attended the meeting.