States Seek Increased Funds From Centre At Pre-Budget Meet With Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman

In a pre-budget meeting with Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Wednesday (18 December), states have asked for more funds from the central government to expedite infrastructure projects, raise grants to local bodies and share the burden of centrally sponsored schemes.

Uttarakhand has asked the centre for additional support of Rs 1,000 crore for Mahakumbh 2021 in Haridwar.

Delhi finance minister and deputy CM Manish Sisodiya said, "From 2001, Delhi gets only Rs 325 crore from centre... centre should give Rs 8,150 crore to Delhi and other UTs and Municipal Corporation be given funds from the central pool."

He also said central government should come out with a policy on stubble burning and UP and Haryana should be given funds to subsidise farmers for stubble burning.

Himachal Pradesh industry minister Vikram Singh said state is facing problem in infrastructure development and has sought funds for stalled railways projects and development of funds under PMGSY for roadways.

"We have sought Rs 1,500 crore for roads," he said.

Madhya Pradesh commercial tax minister Brajendra Singh Rathod said share of centre in centrally sponsored schemes is going down leading to stress on state finances.

Puducherry CM V Narayanasamy said the farmers are in stress and told the FM that burden should not be on states alone. Puducherry should be at par with Delhi for devolution of funds. Central government is lowering grant's for centrally sponsored schemes and their revamp should not be burdened on states.

Tamil Nadu deputy CM O Panneerselvam said the state government is yet to receive Rs 3,369 crore as grants to local bodies as prescribed by the fourteenth Finance Commission.

He asked for equal equity participation from Centre on Chennai Metro rail project.

(This story has been published from a wire agency feed without modifications to the text. Only the headline has been changed.)