BHUBANESWAR: Odisha Government has requested the NITI Aayog to continue with the existing sharing pattern of funds between the Centre and State for Centrally sponsored schemes (CSS) for 2015-16 as the new policy is yet to be finalised.
In a memorandum submitted to the NITI Aayog, the State Government has requested it to consult the States before finalisation of new sharing pattern. The Centre is working on the pattern of 33 CSSs which will be finalised during the current financial year.
The State Government has said the revised policy, to be finalised as per recommendations of the sub-group of Chief Ministers constituted for rationalisation of CSSs, is likely to be implemented from next year.
However, because of the proposal to change the funding pattern, the Centre has stopped funding of the CSSs. Therefore the State Government will have to bear an additional burden of `4273 crore in 2015-16, which it is not in a position to do.
The State Government has maintained that in the Central budget, State wise allocation for Central share of CSSs is not provided making it difficult to get a clear picture about Central assistance. The State Government has suggested that the annual allocation for each State under each CSS with sharing pattern need to be provided in a single format.
The State Government has requested the Centre to develop an institutional mechanism for release of Central assistance in two instalments. The first instalment should be released in April-May and the second in November-December.
