FM grills CMs on schemes

Congress President Sonia Gandhi was not the only one to cross-question Chief Ministers at Chandigarh during the CMs' conclave over weekend.

Several Chief Ministers were also quizzed by Finance Minister P Chidambaram who wondered why high volumes of funds under centrally sponsored schemes, where states were required to make a contribution, remained unspent.

Chidambaram had come prepared and unlike many Chief Ministers, had done his home work.

He had a chart before him which detailed central funds allotted to various states and how much had been utilised.

The Finance Minister was puzzled as to why Delhi, Andhra Pradesh and Uttaranchal particularly were not devising schemes for which the centre had offered them outlays, subject to some part of the funds being raised by the state government.

The Finance Minister asked Andhra Pradesh how much money had been spent and on what.

However, Sonia Gandhi was lavish in her praise of YS Rajashekhar Reddy's performance in the municipal elections in Andhra Pradesh.

Assam Chief MInister Tarun Gogoi was asked to explain exactly what his approach towards the United Liberation Front of Assam (ULFA) was. The Governor of Assam, Lt Gen Ajay Singh and the Chief Minister have been at daggers drawn, both on the state government's policy towards ULFA as well as on the issue of migration from across the Bangladesh border.

Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dixit was asked by the Congress President just what the state government's policy on power reforms was. Dixit sought to reassure the gathering that power sector reforms would yield results soon.

She was asked about the contours of the proposed Water Board Bill that has now been referred to the Vidhan Sabha Select Committee. Leaders present at the conclave apprehended the bill could have a deleterious effect on the 'aam aadmi'.

FMspeak

The Finance Minister was puzzled as to why Delhi, Andhra Pradesh and Uttaranchal were not devising schemes for which the Centre had given outlays

Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dixit was asked just what the state government's policy on power reforms was

Leaders at the conclave felt that the proposed Water Board Bill for Delhi would have a negative effect on the 'aam aadmi'

Unlike some of the Chief Ministers, Chidambaram had done his homework and had come prepared with charts to make his point