Centrally Sponsored Scheme (CSS) :

Centrally Sponsored schemes are designed by the Central Ministries, who then pass on the funds to the States from the Central Plan Budget that the Ministries control. The outlay and nature of the individual schemes is determined by the provisions and guidelines attached to schemes, are relatively inflexible, and cannot be altered by the States, at least on paper. These schemes were originally to be formulated only where an important national objective such as poverty alleviation was to be addressed, or the program had a regional or inter-State character or was in the nature of pace setter, or for the purpose of survey or research.

The role of Centrally-Sponsored Schemes (CSS) has been expanded especially in rural development and the social sectors and transfers to States are increasingly used to finance recurrent expenditures. Grants for CSS are meant to supplement the resources of the State Governments. There are many CSS schemes in rural development, such as SGSY, creation of employment through public works, rural housing, Education, Forests, Agri & Allied sectors etc.

About thirty four different departments has been implementing Centrally Sponsored Schemes (CSS) of different funding patterns including 100% CSS in Manipur. Planning department as the Nodal department monitors the implementation of CSS. Priorities have been given to the earmarking of sufficient State matching share including backlog/liabilities under the State Plan. This has been done with a view to leverage additional central funds for socio-economic development of the State

Central Share for CSS with State Matching Contribution: There are about seventy nine CSS/CPS with different funding patterns on sharing basis between Centre and State for the implementation of schemes related to the Agriculture & Allied sectors, Rural Development i/c, CD & Panchayat, Irrigation & Flood Control, Energy, Industries, Ecology & Environment, Tourism, Survey& Statistics, Education i/c, SCERT, ADULT, YAS, Arts & Culture, Medical & Public Health, Water Supply, MAHUD, Welfare of ST/SCs, MOBC, Labour, ITI, Social Welfare, Nutrition, Infrastructure Development for Judiciary and Jail. 

Approved outlay for different Central Sponsored Scheme during 2005-09 was as given below :

.