The Hindu : Karnataka News : Southern States seek flexibility in implementation of schemes

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Karnataka

Karnataka

Southern States seek flexibility in implementation of schemes

Special Correspondent

Montek says too much of micro-management by Centre is wrong

— Photo: Sampath Kumar G.P.

Bonhomie:Chief Minister B.S. Yeddyurappa and Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Kiran Kumar Reddy with Deputy Chairman of the Planning Commission Montek Singh Ahluwalia at the southern regional consultation in Bangalore on Friday.

BANGALORE: All the five southern States, which participated in the southern regional consultation held by the Planning Commission here on the approaches to the 12th Five Year Plan, were united in demanding flexibility in implementation of Central schemes.

They got a shot in the arm with Planning Commission Deputy Chairman Montek Singh Ahluwalia immediately endorsing the demand.

“The commission's view is also that the Central schemes should be more flexible in terms of implementation. Too much of micro-management by the Centre in the implementation of schemes is a wrong thing,” he told presspersons after the inaugural session of the two-day consultation, adding that States could give specific instances of such micro management.

‘Too many conditions'

Meanwhile, participating at the regional consultation, Chief Minister B.S. Yeddyurappa stated that Central assistance came compartmentalised and with too many conditions.

Listing the JNNURM, AIBP, RKVY schemes as examples of scheme-specific Central assistance being given with conditions, he said this would come in the way of planning as per the local needs.

Pointing out that some power generation projects were in a limbo for want of coal linkage, he suggested that the first priority in allotment of coal blocks should be given to power projects.

Stating that the growth targets set for the 12th Plan period may not be achieved by the State if the power projects did not come up at the scheduled time, he sought the Planning Commission's intervention to ensure that Karnataka got timely allocation of coal and gas, besides environmental clearance for power projects.

He also suggested that the Centre reclassify all the State highways, which have been upgraded to national highway standards by the States themselves, as national highways.

Commuter Rail Project

With reference to Bangalore, Mr. Yeddyurappa said the Railways should take up Commuter Rail Project in partnership with the State Government on a cost-sharing basis.

The project would provide connectivity on the north-south and east-west access of existing surface rail lanes in Bangalore, he said.

He suggested that cities like Bangalore, which have built “brand India” globally through information technology should be given Central assistance for infrastructure development as they had made their own investments on infrastructure to support IT growth.

His other demands included empowering the States to make all the key decisions on metro rail projects, including fare fixation and claim settlements.

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