Vijayawada: In an attempt to put the developmental works on fast track, state govt has revived several central sponsored schemes (CSS), which were abandoned by the previous regime. The YSRCP govt had refused to initiate the schemes funded by the Centre as it had to spare funds for the State’s share. While the Centre was giving nearly 60% of the total project cost in many schemes, the State had to take the burden of the remaining 40% cost. The Centre has been giving about 70-80% funding for select schemes. The previous govt was believed to have abandoned about 132 schemes citing financial constraints. However, chief minister Chandrababu Naidu-led NDA govt made best use of the central sponsored schemes to start many projects. Naidu directed the finance department to carefully look at the central sponsored schemes at the very first review meeting, soon after taking the reins of the last year. He felt that ignoring the central schemes would ultimately result in massive financial burden on the state as it could not take up such programmes on its own. “It is unwise to ignore the central schemes. We can exert pressure on the Centre through our MPs and Union minister for additional funding if needed,” the chief minister told officials. Taking CM Naidu’s advise on a serious note, the finance department worked over-time and fine-tuned several schemes coming with financial assistance from the Centre. Sources said that state govt tapped about 18,500 crore through central schemes in the last 12 months. “We have revived about 82 schemes including drinking water and road works with the financial assistance from the Centre. We are working to revive few more schemes which could transform the economies of the state,” said finance minister Peyyavul Keshav. The state govt spent close to 14,000 crore to utilise the central schemes. Finance department estimated that state lost around 40,000 crore during the YSRCP regime as the State did not join the central schemes. After noticing the diversion of funds granted to specific schemes, the Centre has stopped releasing funds to the State without submission of utilisation certificates by the competent authorities.
