CM and Convener of NITI Ayog Sub Group Shri Chouhan presents report to Prime Minister
Bhopal. Chief Minister and Convener of NITI Ayog Sub Group on rationalization of centrally sponsored schemes Shri Chouhan and other members presented Sub Group’s report to Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi in New Delhi today. Shri Chouhan was accompanied by Chief Ministers of Arunachal Pradesh, Jammu-Kashmir, Rajasthan, Jharkhand, Manipur and Tailangana and Lt. Governor of Union Territory Pondycherry. The Sub Group was constituted by the Prime Minister on March 2015 for changing funding pattern and rationalisation of centrally sponsored schemes.
After submitting the report, Shri Chouhan informed that the report was chalked out keeping in view of the idea of Team India. The report mainly contains recommendations for better utilisation of funding pattern of centrally sponsored schemes keeping in view interests of both Central and state governments. Shri Chouhan informed that not only members of the Sub Group, but opinions were also sought from various Central ministries and other state governments while preparing the report with consensus. The report has been presented to Prime Minister.
Shri Chouhan informed that number of ongoing centrally sponsored schemes has been reduced from 72 to 50. Schemes have been divided in 3 main categories including core sector, core of core sector and optional. Core sector mainly covers pensions, MNREGA etc, core of crore sector health, irrigation, energy etc and optional sector includes recommendations about state schemes. As per recommendations, funding pattern of 90:10 would continue in core of core sector. For hilly states, 90:10 funding has been recommended and for other states 60:40. for optional schemes, funding pattern would be 80:20 for hilly states and 50:50 for other states. For Union Territories 100 percent funding would be made by the Union Government for centrally sponsored schemes.
The Chief Minister has urged to implement Sub Group’s recommendations from current financial year. Besides, suggestion has also been given to allocate 25 percent separate flexi fund to states which can be utilised by states as per their requirements. Recommendation has also been made for status quo in Asha workers’ honorarium for 2 years. Shri Chouhan also advocated to continue same funding pattern for central schemes sanctioned till March 2015. Shri Chouhan said that review of recommendations would be made 2 years. He urged to hold meetings of NITI Ayog every 6 months. In Sub Group’s report, recommendation has also been made regarding problem arising out of centre’s decision not to release next installment if utilisation certificate is not given by state governments timely.
