Nitish govt politicising change in funding pattern: BJP

BJP today accused the Bihar government of misleading people on the issue of change in funding pattern for Centrally Sponsored Schemes (CSS), saying the state has got “highest” ever hike in central share of taxes since Independence.

“The state government is misleading people to politicise the issue that Centre has slashed its share in Centrally Sponsored Schemes. But the fact of the matter is that Bihar got highest ever hike in central share of taxes since Independence,” senior state BJP leader Sushil Modi said.

Modi, who was Deputy Chief Minister and had been holding state’s finance portfolio for eight years during NDA regime, said Bihar got Rs 36,963 crore in 2014-15 as its share in central pool of taxes following the recommendations of 14th Finance Commission which scaled up its devolution from 32 to 42 per cent.

The state’s share in Central taxes increased to Rs 48,922 crore, which is a hike of about Rs 12,000 crore in just one year, he said.

In 2012-13, the state recieved Rs 31,900 crore while it got Rs 34,829 crore in 2013-14, Modi said adding that the state’s allocation for local bodies just doubled to Rs 2524.19 crore in 2015-16 from Rs 1392.71 crore in 2014-15.

Modi said the change in pattern of funding is not only applicable to Bihar but equally to every state as it has been implemented on the recommendations of a group of 11 Chief Ministers which was constituted by the Prime Minister.

The states are getting more funds in the wake of Centre increasing its devolution to states from 32 to 42 per cent in view of 14th Finance Commissions recommendations, he said.

Even if states have to shell out more money from their share on Centrally Sponsored Schemes (CSS), the Centre has effected a manifold increase in funds allotment to them (states), Modi said.

Bihar was alloted Rs 13,091 crore in 2015-16 for implementation of CSS but the allotment has increased to Rs 22,360 crore in the current fiscal, an increase of 9,000 crore.