Tuki for continuing Special Category status for NE states

Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Nabam Tuki today appealed to the Centre for continuing the Special Category Status for North Eastern States with the corresponding benefits.
He was speaking at the first meeting of the sub-group on rationalization of Centrally sponsored schemes (CSS) of NITI Aayog in New Delhi, a CMO communique informed.
The Sub-Group was chaired by Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh Shivraj Chouhan.
Tuki pointed that in view of the untapped resources, geographical and cost disabilities and huge transportation costs, the Centre should be sensitive to the Special Category States and not disturb this categorization.
He highlighted that in all the CSS, the states must be empowered to make dynamic state specific guidelines with emphasis on sufficient fund transfer for critical sectors such as health, education and infrastructure.

He also stressed that the criteria for fund allocation must be development deficit and population criteria among others while calling for continued impetus on need based planning.

The chief minister urged the Centre to continue the 90:10 pattern of funding for Central sector schemes.
He also requested the members of the Sub Group to examine whether the decrease in allocation for CSS may be adjusted from central sector plan.
Tuki suggested that 10 per cent non-lapsable fund should be earmarked for the North East states in each ministry.
"During the FY 2014-15, the total fund was estimated to be Rs 53,000.00 crore. There must be mechanism where the state government of the NE states are allowed to project requirements and the felt needs of the region to spend this fund," he said.

Stating that the Northeastern states are late starters in the development process for historical and geographic reasons, he stressed that special category status to these states must not be abolished abruptly, rather a transitory approach must be taken.
"With the delinking of the schemes, the major impact is felt by the special category states because of the block grants being done away with. A mechanism must be evolved for the ongoing schemes and projects under these delinked schemes," he said.