At the meeting of a high-powered committee of chief ministers in Delhi, it was decided that the six schemes which formed a part of the minimum common programme of the United Front government including primary health care, drinking water supply project for urban and rural areas, universalisation of primary education, linking of rural roads with market areas, and housing for the poor, would not be included in the centrally sponsored schemes.
West Bengal finance minister Asim Dasgupta who attended the meeting said in Calcutta yesterday that the state government had demanded that the schemes that belonged to the state list should be transferred alongwith necessary fund allocations.
The common minimum programme presented a similar view. At the last meeting of chief ministers Bengal Chief Minister Jyoti Basu's observations were supported by others.
Dasgupta said at that meeting it was decided that transfer of centrally sponsored schemes would be discussed at the meeting of the National Development Council and inter-state council.
Pending that the high-powered committee was formed which included the Union minister of state for planning Y S Alam and a member from the planning commission.
Dasgupta said a general allocation of Rs 2,466 crore was made for the seven schemes under the common minimum programme including subsidised grains supply for the rural areas. The schemes should be implemented within four years.
Dasgupta said it was decided to bifurcate the programme with an allocation of Rs 2,216 crore for the first six projects. Another Rs 250 crore had been earmarked for the subsidised grains supply programme.
He said out of the Rs 2,216 crore allotted for the six schemes, ten states under special category would get Rs 665 crore.The balance would be divided among 15 states. West Bengal's share was Rs 150 crore.
He said the Centre had also agreed to the state government's proposal to utilise the fund for rural electrification programme and energisation of deep tubewells for development of rural economy. Fifty per cent of the fund was expected in October.
It would be directly available as plan grant.
Dasgupta said the state government had allotted Rs 600 crore in its budget for schemes including rural health care, drinking water supply, universalisation of primary education and others.
The schemes would be implemented through panchayat and municipalities in rural and urban areas.
A meeting of the zilla Sabhadhipatis and district authorities would be held on August 27 to discuss implementation of the schemes.
Dasgupta said he would hold a meeting with the governor of the Reserve Bank of India, C Rangarajan on September 1 to discuss the problem relating to sanction of loans for the self-employment schemes by the financial institutions and credit-deposit ratio in the state.
