Chief Minister Raghubar Das on Friday demanded additional assistance for the left Wing Extremism (lWE) affected States. Das, while addressing the sub-group of Chief Ministers during the Neeti Ayog meeting in New Delhi, also stressed on delegating powers to the States for taking decision on the execution of Central schemes according to the local requirements of those States. The centre may provide guidelines in this regard, the CM said.
"Modernisation of police is important for any Naxal-infested State for which it must get special assistance from the Centre," Das said. Stressing on delegating the power of approval related to the DPRs of National Highways and other Central-sponsored schemes to the concerned States, Das added that the responsibility for the execution of execution of any work must be given to the States. "Presently, those rights are with the Central Government and any DPR related to the scheme is sent to the Centre for its approval," he added.
Das, requesting to make the process of release of funds by the Centre a bit simpler, also said that any funds allotted by the Finance Commission should be returned to the same State in case it remains unutilised by it after putting it to the non-lapsable pool. "Centre-State share also needs to be reconsidered for at least 33 schemes," said the Chief Minister.
He stressed that the ratio of Centre-State share must remain as it is, so that the States keep on executing welfare works by utilising the limited resources available with it, added Raghubar. The CM also appealed to the Centre to release additional funds for building up basic infrastructure like modernisation of police, BRGF, NEGP as well as promotion of tourism in any State.
In addition to that, the CM pointing out the need of bearing the increased additional cost by the respective Union Ministries for the delay of schemes and said that the wholesale price index must be linked with the increased cost of the scheme.