Raipur Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai on Thursday sought special central grants for Chhattisgarh, citing its large tribal population, difficult geographical conditions and Naxal activities in parts of the state, at a meeting held with a delegation of the 16th Commission of Finance, said a government. official.
He stressed that additional financial resources are needed to put Chhattisgarh, which came into existence in November 2000, at par with developed states, the official said.
During the meeting here with the central panel delegation led by its president Arvind Panagariya, Sai highlighted that Chhattisgarh is a newly formed state with a large tribal population and faces challenging geographical conditions.
He is also affected by Naxal activities, the CM told the delegation, according to the official.
The Chief Minister apprised the committee about the rapid development works being carried out in the Naxal-affected areas and effective measures being taken to curb Maoist activities, he said.
Sai noted that the difficult geographical conditions in these areas lead to additional expenditure on infrastructure development. He also shared details of the ongoing efforts under the 'Niyad Nellanar Yojana' to provide basic amenities like education, health, roads, electricity and water in these regions.
The CM emphasized that greater financial assistance from the Finance Commission would significantly boost public welfare projects in backward areas.
"As India is fast becoming an economic superpower, Chhattisgarh is working hard to contribute to this growth. We will realize the vision of a developed Chhattisgarh along with a developed India," Sai told the delegation.
The CM expressed hope that the central panel would provide additional financial support to help realize the state's vision of all-round growth.
He highlighted rising costs and extended timelines for infrastructure projects such as railways, highways, telecommunications, power and irrigation due to the challenging geographical conditions facing the state.
Sai also mentioned additional expenses incurred to address concerns over environmental damage and health impacts caused by mining activities in the mineral-rich state.
Further, Sai pointed out that due to GST (Goods and Services Tax) as a consumption-based destination tax system, the actual benefits of mining activities accrue to the states where consumption and mineral value addition occurs, instead of Chhattisgarh.
Highlighting the economic progress of the state, Sai stated that Chhattisgarh started with a small economy of just Rs 29,539 crore in 2000, but has now achieved a GSDP target of Rs 5 lakh 9,000 crore by 2023-24.
He announced the government's target of doubling the size of the GSDP in the next five years and called for an increase in the Union government's share in centrally sponsored schemes.
Addressing the meeting, Commission Chairman Panagariya hailed the rapid economic progress of Chhattisgarh and lauded the well-planned development of Nava Raipur.
The noted economist emphasized the need to focus on manufacturing units to achieve the goal of a developed India and Chhattisgarh.
Highlighting fiscal stability, economic growth and improving social indicators of the state, Panagariya described Chhattisgarh as an emerging and fast-growing state.
He highlighted human resources as the state's greatest asset and emphasized the need to develop skills in the manufacturing and service sectors.
Chhattisgarh Finance Minister OP Choudhary presented the state's financial situation, highlighting the development of Nava Raipur as a smart green city and requesting additional central resources for infrastructure development.
He assured that Chhattisgarh will continue to maintain fiscal discipline and is working to address leakages in the tax system using modern technology.
The Finance Minister offered important suggestions on the criteria for sharing taxes between the Center and the states. Deputy Chief Ministers Arun Sao and Vijay Sharma and other ministers presented information on their departmental plans and requested more resources.
DGP Ashok Juneja outlined the resource needs of the police force, while Saurabh Kumar, executive director of NRDA (Nava Raipur Development Authority), gave details on the resource needs for projects in the planned city.
He stressed that additional financial resources are needed to put Chhattisgarh, which came into existence in November 2000, at par with developed states, the official said.
During the meeting here with the central panel delegation led by its president Arvind Panagariya, Sai highlighted that Chhattisgarh is a newly formed state with a large tribal population and faces challenging geographical conditions.
He is also affected by Naxal activities, the CM told the delegation, according to the official.
The Chief Minister apprised the committee about the rapid development works being carried out in the Naxal-affected areas and effective measures being taken to curb Maoist activities, he said.
Sai noted that the difficult geographical conditions in these areas lead to additional expenditure on infrastructure development. He also shared details of the ongoing efforts under the 'Niyad Nellanar Yojana' to provide basic amenities like education, health, roads, electricity and water in these regions.
The CM emphasized that greater financial assistance from the Finance Commission would significantly boost public welfare projects in backward areas.
"As India is fast becoming an economic superpower, Chhattisgarh is working hard to contribute to this growth. We will realize the vision of a developed Chhattisgarh along with a developed India," Sai told the delegation.
The CM expressed hope that the central panel would provide additional financial support to help realize the state's vision of all-round growth.
He highlighted rising costs and extended timelines for infrastructure projects such as railways, highways, telecommunications, power and irrigation due to the challenging geographical conditions facing the state.
Sai also mentioned additional expenses incurred to address concerns over environmental damage and health impacts caused by mining activities in the mineral-rich state.
Further, Sai pointed out that due to GST (Goods and Services Tax) as a consumption-based destination tax system, the actual benefits of mining activities accrue to the states where consumption and mineral value addition occurs, instead of Chhattisgarh.
Highlighting the economic progress of the state, Sai stated that Chhattisgarh started with a small economy of just Rs 29,539 crore in 2000, but has now achieved a GSDP target of Rs 5 lakh 9,000 crore by 2023-24.
He announced the government's target of doubling the size of the GSDP in the next five years and called for an increase in the Union government's share in centrally sponsored schemes.
Addressing the meeting, Commission Chairman Panagariya hailed the rapid economic progress of Chhattisgarh and lauded the well-planned development of Nava Raipur.
The noted economist emphasized the need to focus on manufacturing units to achieve the goal of a developed India and Chhattisgarh.
Highlighting fiscal stability, economic growth and improving social indicators of the state, Panagariya described Chhattisgarh as an emerging and fast-growing state.
He highlighted human resources as the state's greatest asset and emphasized the need to develop skills in the manufacturing and service sectors.
Chhattisgarh Finance Minister OP Choudhary presented the state's financial situation, highlighting the development of Nava Raipur as a smart green city and requesting additional central resources for infrastructure development.
He assured that Chhattisgarh will continue to maintain fiscal discipline and is working to address leakages in the tax system using modern technology.
The Finance Minister offered important suggestions on the criteria for sharing taxes between the Center and the states. Deputy Chief Ministers Arun Sao and Vijay Sharma and other ministers presented information on their departmental plans and requested more resources.
DGP Ashok Juneja outlined the resource needs of the police force, while Saurabh Kumar, executive director of NRDA (Nava Raipur Development Authority), gave details on the resource needs for projects in the planned city.
