Central schemes may have sunset clause'

New Delhi: Having done away with over 1,000 obsolete laws, the Narendra Modi-led NDA government is now planning to evaluate all 28 Centrally-sponsored schemes (CSS) with the aim of implementing a “sunset clause” which would help draw a timeframe for their completion. In case some schemes are found to not meet their stated objectives and even corrective action not leading to any improvement, their closure could also be considered.

Highly-placed sources said the Prime Minister’s Office had directed the Niti Aayog to analyse the CSS and develop a long-term roadmap for them. This exercise is likely to be completed by 2018-19. Once this is done, the option of imposing a sunset clause will be implemented and, depending on the performance of specific schemes, the closure option will also be exercised, they added.

In line with the 14th Finance Commission’s recommendations, the NDA government has already reduced the number of CSS from 66 to 28. NREGA, the Swachch Bharat Mission, Sarva Siksha Abhiyan, National Health Mission and Mid-day Meal Scheme are among the key CSS in the list of 28. Sources told this newspaper the Niti Aayog will launch a detailed review of these schemes to determine if they are meeting the stated objectives, and if not why. The review will suggest course corrections to bring the schemes back on track if necessary.

In rare cases when it is found the scheme is doing poorly and even corrective action would not lead to improved outcomes, its closure could be suggested, said sources.