CM Shri Chouhan chairs meeting of sub-group of NITI in Delhi
Bhopal: Chief Minister Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan and convener of sub-group of NITI Ayog on rationalisation of Centrally sponsored schemes convened its meeting in New Delhi today. NITI Ayog’s Vice-Chairman Shri Arvind Pangarhiya, CEO Smt. Sindhushri Khullar and Chief Secretary Shri Anthony de Sa attended the meeting. The sub-group headed by Smt. Khullar comprises senior officers of Central and state governments.
The Chief Minister said that objective is to rationalize Central schemes to ensure that their maximum benefits reach people. India is a vast country and its different states have their specific needs and priorities. Therefore, Central schemes must be flexible so that they could be moulded as per specific needs of states. Besides, share of Centre and states in Centrally-sponsored schemes should also be acceptable and result-oriented to ensure that no problems are faced in their implementation.
The meeting was informed by senior officers of concerning Central government departments about existing formats of 17 flagship Central schemes like Swachchhata Abhiyan Beti Bachao-Beti Padhao, National Rural Health Mission, Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme, National Agriculture Development Scheme, National Agriculture Irrigation Development Scheme, Sarv Shiksha Abhiyan etc, process of implementation, states’ role and partnership, Central grants etc. He gave important suggestions while pointing out changes being effected in schemes in view of 14th Finance Commission’s recommendation to provide 42 percent share of divisible pool to states instead of 32 percent. It is noteworthy that now, states will be given 5.26 lakh crore instead of Rs. 3.48 lakh crore.
Light was thrown in detail on national scenario concerning schemes for school education, agriculture, animal husbandry, health & family welfare, rural drinking water, urban welfare, agriculture research and education, water resources, river development, women and child development.
Describing the about 5-hour long meeting as meaningful, the Chief Minister said that the sub-group would chalk out a draft encompassing outcomes of meetings held with officers of NITI Ayog and member Chief Ministers of the sub-group and suggestions in this regard. Following discussions on this draft at April 27 meeting, the sub-group will discharge its duty in rationalisation of Centrally-sponsored schemes.
