UP to Centre: Shortfalls in Bundelkhand package

This minutes of the meeting were released by the state government in an official communiqué.

Discussing the Rs 3506-crore Central package for seven drought-hit districts in the state,Gupta said since the projects to be undertaken in this package have already been approved by the NRAA,the Centre should ensure that all the budgetary allocations are made at the earliest to ensure that work on these projects starts before monsoons.

Leading a team of state officials,Gupta told the Central team that the package clearly indicates that Rs 1910.24 crore should be managed through convergence in different programmes and Centrally funded schemes. Referring to the Rs 1318.95 crore to be received as Centre’s share for current schemes,the Chief Secretry Gupta said only 22 crore assistance has been received for the lower Rajghat project under the Command Area Development.

The state government has sent proposals for various projects under agriculture,animal husbandry,irrigation and minor irrigation to the NRAA,which should be approved at the earliest,said Gupta,while also pointing out that the package has a fund of Rs 810 crore for watershed management. And while the watershed management has no provision for a state share,the Central department team expects a state share of 10 per cent for utilisation of this fund,Gupta argued.

The state government also demanded a relaxation in norms of some of the Central schemes keeping in mind the topography of the area. Gupta cited the example of MGNREGS,where at times the material usage is higher than the set norms. Gupta also pointed out that the budgetary allocation for the National Horticulture Mission under the package is lesser than last year and that it should be revised in accordance with the current scenario.  

The state also asked the Centre to connect rivers Ken and Betwa though water channels for irrigation management.

The Central team has assured the state that it would look into the issues. The meeting of the Central Planning Commission to discuss the package is scheduled for June 1.