Prime Minister Narendra Modi meets Uttarakhand Chief Minister Harish Rawat after the NITI Aayog Governing Council meeting on Sunday. (Press Trust of India)
Uttarakhand Chief Minister Harish Rawat today said the non-existence of the Planning Commission was coming in the way of development funds reaching the state and affecting implementation of centrally-sponsored schemes.
"With the Planning Commission no longer in existence, funds are not reaching us on time which is leading to a shortfall in achieving our targets in centrally-sponsored schemes," Mr Rawat said on his return from Delhi after attending the first meeting of NITI Aayog governing council.
Implementation level of centrally-sponsored schemes in Uttarakhand is only 35-40 per cent as against a target of 70 per cent, he said, adding the shortfall was due to funds not being allocated timely by the Centre to the state.
He said if the state does not receive funds from the Centre for implementation of centrally-sponsored schemes within a few weeks from now, it will not be possible to overcome the shortfall in targets set for the ongoing fiscal.
The Chief Minister attributed the delay in allocation of funds to the non-existence of the Planning Commission of India which was dismantled after the NDA came to power.
Giving details of deliberations held at the NITI Aayog meeting in Delhi, Mr Rawat said state-specific issues like continuance of Uttarakhand's status as a special category state, a green bonus for its contribution to environment conservation efforts and lifting the ban on hydel projects were raised by him.
"I told the commission that in view of our unique geographic conditions, locational and historic disadvantages, our status as a special category state and funding pattern for centrally-sponsored schemes should be maintained," he said.
Citing Uttarakhand's "historic imbalance" in terms of airports, rail links and highways despite being a border state, Mr Rawat said a clear-cut policy should be laid down in this regard so that it grows in the infrastructure sector.
He also renewed his demand for a green bonus to the state for its contribution to environment conservation efforts and sought speedy release of funds for preparations in view of the 2016 Ardhakumbh Mela in Haridwar.
"We have already released funds worth Rs 150 crore for preparations in view of the vast religious congregation and that is our limit. Now we depend on funds from the Centre to prepare for the event," he said.