As Centre transfers 66 schemes to States
The transfer of 66 schemes under the Centrally-sponsored programmes to the States has created financial uncertainty in Odisha. Finance Minister Pradip Kumar Amat on Monday told the Assembly that Odisha would face financial difficulty in running these schemes if the Centre fails to provide its share in time.
He said the Centre, restructuring its plan programmes, has transferred the 66 schemes to the States in fiscal 2014-15. Now, the Central share in the scheme would be included in the State plans and the States would have to run the schemes by bearing the Central shares if the Centre fails to provide its share.
The Minister said the Centre has been requested to chip in its share in time.
The State Government’s apprehension regarding non-release of Central fund in time stems from the fact that the Centre had provided a paltry amount against its share for the schemes under the State Plan, Central Plan and Centrally-sponsored Plan programmes, feel officials.
“Due to the plan cut by the Central Government in 2012-13 and 2013-14, Odisha had to face financial difficulty in running programmes like the Accelerated Irrigation Benefit Programme (AIBP) and Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA),” Amat told the Assembly while replying to a question.
Under the State Plan, Central Plan and Centrally-sponsored Plan, he said, the State received Rs 5,760.85 crore against a budget provision of Rs 8,533.01 crore in 2012-13 and Rs 5,691.30 crore against a budget provision of Rs 8,756.43 crore in 2013-14.
“The State Government is forced to provide funds from its limited resources to run the schemes as the Centre fails to chip in its share,” the Minister said, adding that if this trend continues, it would certainly affect the State’s finance