Ahluwalia: Generous?

Calcutta, July 20: Planning Commission deputy chairman Montek Singh Ahluwalia today assured the state government that the Centre would be “less rigid” while considering the demands of the states.

Commerce and industries minister Nirupam Sen revealed to reporters Delhi’s assurance of generosity after talks with Ahluwalia on problems regarding the disbursement of central funds.

Sen said Ahluwalia also assured that the delivery of central funds meant for the states will be less time consuming and complicated.

In the morning, the Planning Commission deputy chairman attended a discussion on the West Bengal Human Development Report, 2004. Several zilla parishad sabhadhipatis and NGOs, who played a crucial part in preparing the report, and representatives of the United Nations Development Project (UNDP) attended the meeting.

Ahluwalia met the chief minister at Writers’ Buildings. He described the half-an-hour meeting with Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee as a “courtesy call” but added that they spoke about various projects and the performance of the state government.

Sen said the state government told Ahluwalia that it will lay stress on creating employment opportunities, especially in rural areas, and improving the public health system, education infrastructure and the operations of the panchayats.

The minister also discussed with Ahluwalia ways to get resources from the Centre over and above allocations in the Union budget.

Ahluwalia also had a meeting with finance minister Asim Dasgupta.