North Eastern states demand more central funds for rural development

New Delhi, July 5 (UNI) North Eastern states have demanded from the centre to give more funds to them for rural development by changing the present formula of Centre-State sharing of funds for scheme from 75:25 to 90:10 due to resource crunch faced by them.

The Ministers in-charge of Rural Development of North-Eastern States called on Dr. Raghuvansh Prasad Singh, Union Minister of Rural Development here today and submitted a Memorandum in this regard. They said the North-Eastern States find it difficult to raise funds due to meager resources.

The State Ministers also urged Dr. Singh to help them in tackling the drinking water problem in particular as most of the NE States are all hilly terrains and their geographical situation is different from the rest of the country. Dr Singh, assured them of all cooperation from his Ministry and informed them that the matter has already been taken up with the Planning Commission and is likely to get resolved shortly.

Meanwhile, Bihar has also demanded that more central assistance for construction of elevated toilets and elevated hand pumps in flood prone districts of the state. Pointing out that construction of elevated toilets and elevated hand pumps were essential for maintenance of cleanliness in the state, he demanded more funds for them.

PHED Minister Prem Kumar also said 14 districts of South Bihar remained water deficient for which a special drive for ground water recharging and rain water harvesting was required. Dr Singh said he would look into the problems and work to help the states.

UNI