NITI Aayog to set up working group on central schemes

NITI Aayog will set up a working group to prepare a draft report on how to make implementation of Centrally Sponsored Schemes (CSS) more effective by taking into account suggestions made at the first meeting of the sub-group of Chief Ministers here on Friday.

"We have decided to set up a working group under NITI Aayog CEO Sindhushree Khullar to prepare a draft report on the suggestions made by various Chief Ministers in the meeting," said Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, convener of the sub-group comprising 11 Chief Ministers.

The report will be taken up for discussion in the next meeting of the panel on April 27.

Chouhan, however, parried direct questions on discussions at the meeting, saying that the sub-group will discuss the draft report at its meeting next month and then move towards making recommendations.

He would meet officials of central departments running various schemes on April 16 to know their experience and suggestions.

The sub-group, he said, has been constituted to deliberate on funding pattern on CSS as the states' share in central taxes has been increased to 42 percent from 32 percent, as per the recommendations of the 14th Finance Commission.

Also, there is need for implementation flexibility in some of the schemes, he added.

Among others, the meeting was attended by Rajasthan Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje and Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayed. Jharkhand Chief Minister Raghubar Das said the Centre should continue funding programmes of policy modernisation and Backward Region Grant Fund (BRGF).

After the first meeting of the Governing Council of the Aayog, three sub-groups of Chief Ministers were constituted on CSS, Skill Development and Swachh Bharat Abhiyaan.

As per the government's fiscal policy strategy statement, over 30 CSS have been identified for transfer to states because expenditure on them has already been taken into account as state expenditure.

There are certain CSS such as MGNREGA which can neither be discontinued nor transferred as there are legal obligations.

It is proposed that only eight CSS be delinked for support from the Centre. Some Chief Ministers could not attend the meeting due to the ongoing Budget sessions in their respective states.