Modi urges Centre to reduce central schemes

"There is a convergence of views among the states, both ruled by the Congress, its allies and the opposition, for reduction in the number of the centrally-sponsored schemes and also for direct transfer of central fund to the states to enable them to implement scheme to suit local needs," he told reporters at the sidelines of the 'Janata Darbar'.

It is high time that the Centre considered the states' views on the issue and implemented the Chaturvedi committee report recommending reduction in the number of the centrally-sponsored schemes, Modi said.

He further suggested that many schemes working at cross purposes in a particular sector like health be streamlined and merged under specific centrally-sponsored scheme to have a large fund under disposal.

The Centre should also transfer these funds directly to the states to enable them to finalize and implement such schemes that suited their local problems, Modi said.

Some states were facing constraints on the resources to make contributions to their share of the centrally-sponsored schemes and if these schemes were to be reduced and streamlined it would be handy for the states.