DIMAPUR, June 28 � Nagaland Chief Minister TR Zeliang has reiterated that withdrawing Special Category status to the Northeastern States at the present stage will be a huge setback to the ongoing development initiatives and upset growth.
Addressing the fourth meeting of the NITI Aayog Sub-Group of CMs on rationalisation of Centrally Sponsored Scheme (CSS) in New Delhi on Saturday, Zeliang said the special needs of the Northeastern and hilly States should be taken into account while deciding on a transparent criteria for inter-State allocation of fund under CSS besides development needs, population and potential of the States, a press communiqu� issued by the CMO said.
He also urged upon the Sub Group to �strongly reflect� on the recommendation and the memorandum submitted by the CMs of eight NE States that their present Special Category status be continued.
He expressed apprehension that discontinuance of block grants such as Normal Central Assistance, Special Central Assistance and Special Plan Assistance would land special category states in deficit, even in the post-14th Finance Commission and that there would be no funds available to rescue State programmes and provide State share for CSS.
Zeliang suggested that the structure and funding pattern of the CSS be made simpler in order to ensure easier implementation, reduce red-tapism and better monitoring.
He also suggested that existing funding pattern be continued for all schemes for the current year 2015-16 till rationalisation was completed.
He also urged the Sub-Group to recommend continuation of funding of ICDS, NHM, RMSA, etc. Further, Zeliang appealed to NITI Aayog and the Finance Ministry to issue clear cut direction to the line Ministries to maintain status-quo.
The CM reiterated that funding pattern for special category States for core CSS should be100 per cent including schemes like NLCPR and NEC that were meant for NE States since the States found it difficult in providing their 10 per cent share of the project cost.
