NITI Aayog’s response to the statement of KC Rao, CM Telangana
NITI Aayog was set up as an Institution with the mandate of cooperative
federalism with a premise that strong states make a strong nation. A
number of measures have already been put in place to work closely with
states. In the last year alone more than 30 meetings have been held with
the Chief Ministers of States by the Vice Chairman/ Members of NITI
Aayog. These meetings have resolved a number of issues pertaining to the
states with various Central Ministries and paved way for greater collaboration
between NITI Aayog and States. A delegation led by Vice Chairman NITI
Aayog met the Telangana Chief Minister in Hyderabad on 21st January 2021
to discuss development issues pertaining to the State. More recently, despite
requests made by NITI Aayog for a meeting, the Chief Minister did not respond.
Government of India through all the Ministries as well as office of
Prime Minister has been interacting with States/ UTs on all issues of national
importance. Specifically, in preparation for the August 7, 2022 Governing
Council meeting, detailed consultations between Centre and States, including
Telangana, were held resulting in the first National Chief Secretaries
Conference held in Dharamshala in June 2022. The Conference was a
culmination of a six- month long deliberations wherein all States/ UTs
including Chief Secretary of Telangana participated. The allegation of
Hon’ble CM Telangana that states were not co-opted in preparation of agenda is
incorrect.
With reference to in the Water sector, over the last 4 years, Government
of India allocated Rs.3982 core under the Jal Jeevan Mission for the State of
Telangana. However, the state chose to draw only Rs. 200 crore. In
addition, Rs 1195 crores were released to Telangana under PMKSY-AIBP-CADWM
during 2014-2015 to 2021-2022.
Government of India has been consistently supporting states in financial
matters including for flagship schemes/ programmes of national
importance. Overall allocation under Centrally Sponsored Schemes have
increased from Rs. 2,03,740 crores in 2015-16 to Rs. 4,42,781 crores in
2022-23, i.e. more than double during this period, in addition to the
substantial hike in awards under the Fourteenth Finance Commission from 32% to
42%. Enough flexibility has also been built in for utilization of funds
allocated under CSS.
It is unfortunate that the Chief Minister of Telangana has chosen not to
participate in the Governing Council meeting of NITI Aayog to be held on 7th August. The
Governing Council is a forum where the highest political leadership in the
country at Centre and State levels deliberate on key development-related issues
and agree on appropriate outcome oriented solutions for national development.