Devise state-specific criteria for Central schemes: Kerala

Kerala government on Tuesday asked the Centre to allow the states to devise region-specific criteria for the implementation of various central schemes as against the nation-wide criteria, which causes problems in the execution of the schemes.

Local Self-Governance Kerala Minister K T Jaleel, at a conference of State Panchayat Raj Ministers and Principal Secretaries, said, "The union government should let states devise region-specific criteria for the implementation of various central schemes as each state differs in geography and climate."

Jaleel also sought more assistance from the Centre to strengthen 'Kudumbashree', a women empowerment programme in the state.

Kerala had also urged the Centre to open a branch of National Institute of Rural Development (NIRD) in the state.

"We have the potential to become an open defecation-free (ODF) state soon but need the help from the Centre to achieve this," Jaleel added.

The LSG minister also demanded the Centre provide assistance to developing infrastructure at the Kerala Institute of Local Administration (KILA) so that it could provide better training to lawmakers of various other states.

"We have already requested the union government to include 18 cities from the state in the Amrut cities scheme of the union government. As of now, the Centre has included eight cities from the state," the minister said.