NEW DELHI, March 27 � Echoing the concern expressed by Chief Ministers of Northeastern States including Assam CM Tarun Gogoi, Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Nabam Tuki on Friday called for continuing the Special Category Status for NE States with the corresponding benefits.
Tuki was addressing the first meeting of the Sub-Group on Rationalisation of Centrally Sponsored Schemes of NITI Aayog here today.
�The North Eastern States are late starters in the development process for historical and geographic reasons. The Special Category Status accorded to these States must not be abolished abruptly, rather a transitory approach must be taken,� he suggested.
The Centre should be sensitive to the Special Category States and not disturb this categorisation, he said. While calling for continued impetus on need-based planning, the Chief Minister also urged the Government of India to continue the 90:10 pattern of funding for Central sector schemes.
The Arunachal CM said that there must be a mechanism for the NE States to project requirements and needs of the region to spend the 10 per cent non-lapsable fund in each Union Ministry. During the fiscal 2014-15, the total fund was estimated to be Rs 53,000 crore, he stated.
With the delinking of the schemes, the major impact is felt by the Special Category States because of the block grants being done away with. A mechanism must be evolved for the ongoing schemes and projects under these delinked schemes.
Noting that though it is a fact that through higher devolution, States will receive higher share of Central taxes, but, he pointed out that in the case of Special Category States, with the abolition of the block grants, the net effect, at least in the first three years of the 14th Finance Commission period, is minuscule.
Further, the erroneous award of previous Commissions and the impact of successive pay commissions, the Special Category States have a huge backlog to be cleared. Therefore, the Sub Committee must recommend some transitory formula to overcome this situation. Development will be impacted again if this situation is not resolved, Tuki contended.
