Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh on Saturday said the States could not complain about shortage of funds (for undertaking relief measures) as their share in Central taxes had been increased.
“For the first time, the States’ share has been increased by 10 per cent from 32 per cent to 42 per cent,” the Minister said.
Of late, the Uttar Pradesh government had been complaining that the Centre was not releasing funds for relief to farmers who suffered huge crop losses due to recent unseasonal rains and hailstorm.
Mr. Singh, who is a former Chief Minister of U.P., said the State sends a memorandum seeking funds to the Centre — according to Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav, a memorandum of over Rs.7000 crore has already been sent to the Centre. “The receipt of the memorandum is followed by a Central team visiting the affected areas and the money is given after the report is submitted,” he told journalists here.
The Minister said immediate relief is given from the State Contingency Fund.
He credited the Narendra Modi government with taking important steps related to relief measures. As compared to the earlier benchmark of 50 per cent crop loss, compensation to farmers would be given even if they have suffered 33 per cent crop loss.
It has also been decided that wheat damaged by the vagaries of weather would be bought and compensation would be increased by one and half times.
‘Financial inclusivity’
On the NDA government, which is about to complete one year in office, Mr. Singh said its biggest achievement had been the “financial inclusivity” of the poor with 14.70 crore account holders — a world record — under the Pradhan Mantri Jandhan Yojana.
Mr. Singh mentioned the three schemes — Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana, Atal Pension Yojana and Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana — which were launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Kolkata on Saturday. These schemes were simultaneously launched by Mr. Singh, along with U.P. Governor Ram Naik at Indira Gandhi Pratishthan.
“Now, not a single person would be denied social and economic security,” Mr. Singh stated.
Black money
On the issue of bringing back black money stashed away in foreign banks, Mr. Singh said talks were on with the countries. A Bill for preventing the generation of black money would be tabled in Parliament. A Bill on preventing the transfer of black money was already in the House.
