NITI Aayog should act as single window for states: Chandy

The NITI Aayog should act as a single window which states can approach in all matters related to centrally sponsored schemes (CSS) and other development schemes, according to Kerala Chief Minister Oommen Chandy.

Chandy said this at the meeting of the sub-group of chief ministers on rationalisation of CSS held in New Delhi on Saturday.

"The NITI Aayog should act as nodal agency for all matters relating to CSS and must be fully involved in all aspects, including resources.

"I may remind my colleagues that in the resolution setting up the NITI Aayog, as well as in the PIB note, put up on the website of the PMO, the aspect of centre-state coordination is specifically mentioned," said Chandy.

He said that hence it was necessary that the amount allocated for CSS by the central government was decided by the finance ministry in consultation with the NITI Aayog in the same manner as was done in the past in the case of gross budgetary support.

"Central ministries and the states are also stakeholders in CSS and they should also be consulted. The NITI Aayog should coordinate this exercise," Chandy added.

He said India has had a long tradition of cooperative federalism in which the Planning Commission played a major role. "I hope this tradition will continue to be maintained in future."