(a) the functional differences between Central Schemes and Centrally Sponsored Schemes
along with the norms fixed for formulating these schemes;
(b) the details of the schemes which are formulated on regional basis but later merged
with national schemes and declared as Central Schemes and Centrally Sponsored
Schemes;
(c) whether the Union Government has evaluated /proposes to evaluate the said
schemes from time to time; and
(d). If so, the details thereof;
MINISTER OF STATE FOR PLANNING, SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY AND EARTH SCIENCES (DR. ASHWANI KUMAR)
(a): The Centre Sector (CS) Schemes are those which deal with the subjects in the Union
List and are funded and implemented by Central Ministry / Department or its agency.
Centrally Sponsored Schemes (CSS) are those schemes which do not pertain to the subjects
in the Union List but which are funded directly by Central Ministries/Departments and are
implemented by States or their agencies irrespective of their pattern of financing. Approval
of full Planning Commission is necessary for including a CSS in the Plan. For introduction of
a new Centrally Sponsored Scheme (CSS), which meets the criteria laid down by the
Committee of National Development Council (NDC), the Ministries/Departments should first
obtain an ‘in principle’ approval of the Planning Commission, (specific approval of
Secretary, Planning Commission) giving justification for introduction of the scheme and
indicating :
i whether the existing Centrally Sponsored Schemes being run by the
Ministry/Department have been reviewed and schemes identified for closure, weeding
out and/ or merger with full details thereof;
ii whether an exercise has been carried out for avoidance of multiplicity of
implementation machinery, and if so, results thereof;
iii Scheme wise details of number of posts sanctioned/created at the
Ministry/Department, Central, State and District level;
iv. Whether any rationalization exercise has been undertaken, and if so, details
thereof;
v. Are there existing schemes with similar objectives in the Ministry/Department of
other Central Ministries/Departments and / or schemes with similar objectives
being implemented by the State Governments, and if so, details thereof and the
justification for taking up the new scheme instead of strengthening / modifying
the existing schemes;
vi The reasons for not implementing the scheme under State Plan with earmarked
funds.
(b): All national schemes are either Central Schemes or Centrally Sponsored Schemes as
explained in part (a) above. Schemes of a regional character are usually in the State Plans and
may be supported through Central assistance to State Plans.
(c) : The Programme Evaluation Organisation (PEO) of the Planning Commission undertakes
independent evaluation of selected flagship programmes/schemes (Centrally Sponsored
Schemes and Central Sector Schemes) under implementation, on the behest of Planning
Commission and various Ministries and Departments of Government of India from time to
time.
(d): During the last two years i.e. 2009-11, the Programme Evaluation Organisation of
Planning Commission has conducted, on sample basis, process and impact evaluation of the
following schemes:
i. Rural Telephony
ii. Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan(SSA)
iii. Rural Roads Component of Bharat Nirman
iv. Cooked Mid-Day Meal (CMDM)
v. Accelerated Irrigation Benefits Programme (AIBP)
vi. National Rural Health Mission (NRHM)
vii. Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS)