Chief Minister N Rangasamy has urged the Union government for full funding of all Centrally-sponsored schemes (CSS) implemented in the Union territory of Puducherry.
In his address delivered at the 57th Meeting of the National Development Council at New Delhi on Friday, he said that UT has been successfully implementing the new schemes of government of India as pilot projects and hence, the entire component of funds for CSS should be given by the central government . Funding pattern is different for various CSS. While some of them have full Central funding, states have to share the project costs in case of other projects.
Citing that UT of Puducherry with a Legislature is not considered under devolution formula of the Central Finance Commission; in view of the the financial constraints faced by UT, he urged the Central government to release a Special grant of Rs 300 crore to local bodies. “The special grant should be assured until the Constitutional amendment is brought in for inclusion of the UT with legislature with regard to the Central Finance Commission”, he said.
He said that the UT has seen a growth of 12.13 per cent in tourist arrivals during 2011. Stating that Tourism was a potential area to generate the much needed resources, he urged the Planning Commission to provide substantial Central assistance to the UT. The government has planned to enhance it to 12 per cent in the twelfth Plan, through various infrastructural projects like Special Tourism Zone, Five Star Resort, Water Theme Park, Family Entertainment Centres, all of which would be implemented through PPP mode.
Outlining the development of the UT, he said that the UT had achieved annual average GDP growth rate of 12.8 per cent for the Eleventh Plan. Under the 12th five year plan, the government attempts to improve the base of agriculture and allied activities. In a bid to achieve this, the Natural resource based integrated farming system with crop diversification and livestock integration is being promoted by availing funds under Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (RKVY), a Centrally sponsored schemes.
He said that projects worth Rs 33.64 crore have been sanctioned under RKVY , but so far Rs 11.74 crore has been released. He urged the Centre to release the balance of the sanctioned amount.
Puducherry has achieved 89 per cent financial inclusion of the total households. The Aadhar cards have been generated for 8.12 lakhs residents, against total enrolled population of 8.99 lakhs, said Rangasamy. The government has made all preparations to roll out the Direct Cash Transfer Scheme from January 1, added UT CM Rangasamy.