Cabinet approves proposal to peg central schemes at 30

New Delhi, Aug 3 (IANS) The Union Cabinet on Wednesday accepted major recommendations of the Sub-Group of Chief Ministers on rationalisation of Centrally Sponsored Schemes (CSSs), which had suggested that the total number of schemes should not normally exceed 30.

It had also recommended that CSSs should be divided into "core" and "optional" schemes.

"The Union Cabinet chaired by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi has accepted the major recommendations of the Sub-Group of Chief Ministers on Rationalisation of Centrally Sponsored Schemes (CSSs). The Sub-Group had examined 66 CSSs and recommended that the number of CSSs should not normally exceed 30," an official release said.

It said that the rationalisation of the CSSs would ensure optimum utilisation of resources with better outcomes through area specific interventions.

"This would also ensure wider reach of the benefits to the target groups," it added.

National Social Assistance Programme, Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Programme, Umbrella Scheme for Development of Scheduled Castes, Umbrella Scheme for Development of Scheduled Tribes and Umbrella Programme for Development of Minorities are some of the core schemes.