JAIPUR: Chief minister Ashok Gehlot has urged Niti Aayog to increase the financial and policy support for the development of states in a bid to strengthen the sense of cooperative federalism during a meeting with the members of Aayog on Friday.
“For the past few years, the economic slowdown, pandemic and other natural calamities have impacted the finances of states. It has created a need to expand the ambit of social security which can be achieved by expediting the social and economic welfare activities. For running these activities, the Central government should provide more support to the states,” said Gehlot.
He was interacting with Niti Ayog members Ramesh Chandra, Yogesh Suri and Rajnath Ram. Gehlot reiterated that the Centre-state share for the central government’s ambitious scheme—Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) should be 90:10.
“The central government should consider the topographical conditions of the state. The state has limited water resources added with wide distances among hamlets. This is a reason that cost in developing the scheme in the state is much higher than other states,” said Gehlot. He also demanded that the central government should grant financial assistance and required permissions for several tourism-related projects. The schemes include – Amber to be developed as an Iconic Tourist Destination.
“The state government is working with a mission to have medical colleges in every district of the state. Three states like Jalore, Pratapgath and Rajsamand doesn’t have medical colleges. I urged the central government to allow the opening of three medical colleges,” said Gehlot.
