States performing outstandingly should be rewarded: Shivraj Singh Chauhan

BHOPAL: CM Shivraj Singh Chauhan has said that the states with outstanding performance, assessment and indices should be encouraged. Chauhan was chairing a meeting of CMs’ sub-group constituted under National Institution for Transforming India (NITI) for result-oriented and effective implementation of schemes and rationalisation of process for Central and state shares in Centrally-sponsored schemes. The meeting discussed reduction in number of Centrally-sponsored schemes and free hand to states to choose schemes as per their needs, Central cooperation in improving administrative skills, bringing about flexibility in flexi fund schemes, requirements of border states like Jammu-Kashmir, backward areas like Bundelkhand, hilly and north-eastern states, chalk out schemes as per their specific requirements and make available Central grants. Describing erstwhile Planning Commission’s work as a mere formality, the Chief Minister said that at that time, sanction for annual plan had to be obtained within a few hours once a year. He said that NITI should continuously guide states and keep in constant touch with them. The sub-group entrusted task of chalking out a working draft to the working group headed by NITI’s CEO Sindhushri Khullar. The next meeting of the sub-group will be held at Bhopal on May 28. Before Bhopal meeting, members of the group will visit the states whose Chief Ministers are not members of the sub-group.