CM alleges squeeze of Central funds

Ravi S Singh

Tribune News Service

NEW DELHI, APRIL 23

Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh today alleged that fund allocations under some Centrally sponsored schemes have been squeezed and sought course correction for their completion.

Speaking at the third meeting of the Governing Council of NITI Aayog, which is headed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, he also said that the state government was preparing a 15-year vision plan for inclusive and sustainable development of its economy. Seventeen sustainable development goals have been identified to be achieved.

Batting for adequate allocation of funds, he alleged that funding had been reduced for Central schemes like flood management programme, Accelerated Irrigation Benefit Programme (now part of Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchai Yojana) and National Rural Drinking Water Programme.

The reimbursement claims of Rs 105 core under the Accelerated Irrigation Benefit Programme and Rs 125 crore under Flood Management Programme were pending with the Centre, he said.

He added that the state had received Rs 158 crore less in comparison to the funds received in 2013-14 under National Rural Drinking Water Programme during the last three years.

Virbhadra said releases under Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana for the state had come down to about Rs 52 crore in 2016-17 as compared to about Rs 77 crore in 2013-14 and sought enhancement of allocation under the scheme keeping in view high investment requirement in agriculture sector in hill states.

He informed the Governing Council that Bachelor of Vocational Education course was being started in 12 government colleges for 1,000 students from 2017-18 besides add-on skill development course for under graduate courses.

The HP Kaushal Vikas Nigam has started a pilot project for 1,080 trainees in eight sectors for skill training in order to meet the standards of National Skill Qualification Framework.

A programme to provide skill development allowance to trainees according to certain eligibility criteria under various skill development.

The schemes getting less funds

• Virbhadra Singh has alleged that funding has been reduced for Central schemes such as the Flood Management Programme, the Accelerated Irrigation Benefit Programme (now part of the Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchai Yojana) and the National Rural Drinking Water Programme.
• The reimbursement claims of Rs 105 crore under the Accelerated Irrigation Benefit Programme and Rs 125 crore under the Flood Management Programme are pending with the Centre.