State seeks more say in central funds

The state government is likely to back most of the recommendations made in the Centre-State relations commission report, which include greater percolation of finances for states, a unified authority for better coordination on internal security, and speedier clearances to state-approved amendments.

The state government is likely to back most of the recommendations made in the Centre-State relations commission report, which include greater percolation of finances for states, a unified authority for better coordination on internal security, and speedier clearances to state-approved amendments.

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Senior officials present at the consultative discussion on the second Centre-State relations commission report among states of the western region, hosted by Maharashtra, said that the report was in the favour of the state, and hoped it would get an official go-ahead from the inter-state council.

The consultative meeting, chaired by chief secretary Ratnakar Gaikwad, was held to expedite the report and seek opinions from other states. “Certain recommendations, particularly those dealing with devolution of finances from the centre to the states were discussed at length. Most of the states want more direct finances from the centre by way of sharing of taxes and grants,’’ said a senior official, present at the meeting.

Maharashtra has proposed that funding for all central schemes — such as the Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan, National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme — be routed through the state government kitty instead of going directly to local authorities.

The state is also backing the recommendation that legislations amended by state should get the president’s assent without delay.