Niti Aayog urges Odisha govt to reconsider its decision on aspirational district initiative

  • | Saturday | 17th February, 2018

Odisha apart, Kerala and West Bengal governments have also rejected the Centre’s idea on it.During the meeting, the chief minister urged Niti Aayog for restoration of central assistance for special plan for Koraput-Balangir-Kalahandi regions. I will look into the demand in consultation with other ministries,” he added.Kumar’s predecessor Arvind Panagariya had earlier rejected Odisha’s demand for special status. It also objected appointment of ‘prabhari officers’ citing the move would infringe country’s federal structure.When brought to his notice about Odisha’s decision to reject the initiative, Kumar said he has briefed the chief minister about the scheme in detail and the latter assured to examine it. The Centre appointed its officers (joint secretary rank) as ‘prabhari officers’ to oversee the development programmes.“Since these districts are lagging behind the national average on all development indicators, we want to expedite the development process. If they will consider our suggestions, we may think of reconsidering our decision,” said a senior government official requesting anonymity.Earlier, Union minister Dharmendra Pradhan also requested the chief minister and chief secretary to reconsider its decision to boycott the programme saying political differences should not come in the way of development.

BHUBANESWAR: Despite the state government’s rejection, the Niti Aayog tries hard to get Odisha on board of the Centre’s aspirational districts initiative that aims to transform 115 backward districts including eight in the state.Even as the state government has opted out of the scheme, Niti Aayog vice chairperson Rajeev Kumar on Saturday requested chief minister Naveen Patnaik to reconsider his decision regarding inclusion of Odisha districts under the scheme.Rayagada, Kalahandi, Kandhamal, Gajapati, Dhenkanal, Balangir, Koraput and Malkangiri were the eight districts from Odisha selected by the Centre to cover under the programme. The Centre appointed its officers (joint secretary rank) as ‘prabhari officers’ to oversee the development programmes.“Since these districts are lagging behind the national average on all development indicators, we want to expedite the development process. Special attention will be given by the Central government and Niti Aayog on development of these districts,” Kumar told reporters here after a meeting here.The state government had rejected the proposal in December, last year by objecting to the criteria for identifying backward districts without taking the state into confidence. It also objected appointment of ‘prabhari officers’ citing the move would infringe country’s federal structure.When brought to his notice about Odisha’s decision to reject the initiative, Kumar said he has briefed the chief minister about the scheme in detail and the latter assured to examine it. “I have also stated that whichever districts he would tell us to include, we will include as part of the initiative,” Kumar added.According to sources, the Centre has also agreed to change the ‘prabhari officers’ with the choice of the state government.“After a meeting at the highest level, we will go with certain suggestions to the Niti aayog. If they will consider our suggestions, we may think of reconsidering our decision,” said a senior government official requesting anonymity.Earlier, Union minister Dharmendra Pradhan also requested the chief minister and chief secretary to reconsider its decision to boycott the programme saying political differences should not come in the way of development. Odisha apart, Kerala and West Bengal governments have also rejected the Centre’s idea on it.During the meeting, the chief minister urged Niti Aayog for restoration of central assistance for special plan for Koraput-Balangir-Kalahandi regions. He also reiterated state’s demand for special category status considering state’s high percentage of population belongs to SC/ST categories and frequent natural calamities and revision of coal royalty.“Took up issues of Odisha’s interest in meeting with @NITIAayog VC @RajivKumar1 including Special Category State status, restoration of Central Assistance to KBK, IAP, BGRF district & adequate fund allocation to fast track development programmes & welfare initiatives for people,” Naveen tweeted.Responding to Odisha’s special status demand, the Niti Aayog boss said it was not just a demand of Odisha but by a number of other states. “It is not just that I can decide or comment upon. I will look into the demand in consultation with other ministries,” he added.Kumar’s predecessor Arvind Panagariya had earlier rejected Odisha’s demand for special status.

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