Chief Minister Harish Rawat called upon Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley in New Delhi and asked that all necessary facilities be provided to Uttarakhand under the special category. Recommendations made by the 14 Finance Commission for Uttarakhand should be implemented in addition to which about Rs500 crore should be released soon to the State for the Ardh Kumbh 2016, said Rawat.
Jaitley assured Rawat that positive decision will be taken on the 14th Finance Commission recommendations in addition to which funds will be released soon for the Ardh Kumbh. The Chief Minister told the Union Minister that the State was sustaining loss due to the change in funding pattern by the Centre, which was also mentioned by the 14th finance commission in its recommendations. Rawat said, “According to the Finance Commission, the State is deriving a benefit of about Rs1,300 crore while losing an estimated Rs3,000 crore in various other centrally funded schemes. Uttarakhand’s development will be affected if this gap is not filled by the Central Government.
“The remaining funds approved on recommendation of the 13th finance commission should also be released soon. About Rs 140 crore yet to be received by the State is essential for five nursing colleges, tourism development, police stations and check posts, sewerage facility in Dehradun and the new Vidhan Sabha building here,” said Rawat. He pointed out that the 14th Finance Commission had also noted that geographical conditions had resulted in limitation of revenue sources along with increase cost of infrastructural development and maintenance in Uttarakhand. Considering such factors, the State requires special assistance.
The non-plan revenue difference in special category states should be evaluated considering the State share in central taxes. The planned assistance to special category states should also be reviewed. These states should be provided assistance for Central Government schemes in the 90:10 ratio. The June 2013 disaster caused a major drop in tourist arrival which in term led to a considerable revenue loss with more than 25 per cent of the State’s economy depending on tourism. A sharp drop in the volume of purchase in the State has had a negative impact on VAT, State tax, vehicle tax and hotel tax.
He said discontinuation of the SPA, various Government schemes implemented under the SPA have been stopped. These include important schemes related to higher education, technical education, school education, medical education, Public Works Department and sports, added Rawat.
Also, he called upon the Union Minister for Social Justice and Empowerment Thawar Chand Gehlot in New Delhi on Monday eliciting his focus on the remainder of funds to be released by the Centre to the State for post-matric scholarship for scheduled caste children. Gehlot assured him of proactive action in the interests of the State.