Tuki urges Centre to release CSS

Our Correspondent

Itagar, April 28: In the backdrop of the cash magement difficulties being faced by the state government, Chief Minister bam Tuki appealed for immediate release of the 1st installment of Central Sector Schemes (CSS).

While highlighting this in the second meeting of the CM’s Sub Group on ratiolization of CSS held under the aegis of NITI Aayog at New Delhi on Monday, he shared this concern with other Chief Ministers of the sub group.

It may be mentioned that the 1st installment of CSS has not been released by the Centre to any state till now.

The Chief Minister reiterated that the fund flow for implementation of projects under the 12th five-year plan should continue in the greater interests of the states, particularly Aruchal Pradesh, a communiqué informed here today.

“The funding pattern should not be changed immediately in the wake of the transition from Planning Commission to NITI Aayog. This will cause an inordite delay in completion of projects and the people will suffer. I urge the Centre to continue the funding of CSS as per earlier practice till the ratiolization of CSS is fully completed,” he asserted.

The Chief Minister emphasized that in the process of policy transition, the Government of India should not lose sight of the transparent and effective implementation of CSS schemes. He appealed for continuing the existing 17 Flagship Central Sector Schemes (CSS) which are linked to critical development areas including literacy, growth, sanitation, energy among others.

In view of the transition period, he stressed that a mechanism must be evolved to clear the committed liabilities on capital account of the delinked schemes within two years. For the liabilities on revenue/ recurring account for delinked schemes, the hill states must be supported for at least 3 years, Tuki said.

In a detailed submission to the Chairman of the Sub Group and Chief Minister Madhya Pradesh Shivraj Singh Chouhan, Tuki focused on several important issues and presented the perspective of the State Government on the same.

While urging the Centre to continue with 100 per cent funding of CSS or the 90:10 pattern of funding, he mentioned the difficulty of the State Government to provide matching share due to resource constraints. He pointed that this pattern of funding is ideal for hill states.

The Chief Minister further appealed for continuing the Special Category Status for North Eastern States with the corresponding benefits. He said that in Special Category states the Government is the sole employer and therefore, the State Government is duty bound to provide employment in addition to its endeavour in ushering development. The next meeting of the CM’s Sub Group is scheduled to be held in Bhopal on 28th May, 2015.

Later, Tuki called on Union Minister for Rural Development Ch Birender Singh at the latter’s Parliament House office at New Delhi today. They discussed several important issues related to the implementation of projects under Ministry of RD in the state.

The Chief Minister apprised the Union Minister about the ongoing road works under PMGSY in the state and requested him for timely and higher release so as to facilitate rural connectivity in the state, the communiqué added.