Eastern region states today stressed the need for capacity building of delivery institutions right down to panchayats for effective implementation of various central and states development and welfare schemes.

The eastern states also demanded provision for expenditure up to 10 per cent of the funds of various schemes on capacity building programmes, principal secretary (planning and development) Vijay Prakash told reporters here.

They also pitched strongly for devolution of power at the grassroot level to co-opt local people in policy-making and implementation of the schemes for them, he said.

The demands were made by representatives of Bihar, West Bengal, Jharkhand, Chhatisgarh and Orissa who took part in regional consultation on the approach paper for the 12th plan.

Prakash said the five states further emphasised on co-opting NGOs in policy-making related to social sectors in view of their knowledge of the requirements of the people at the grassroot level.

Prakash said the issue of land acquisition for industrial development was also discussed at the meeting with the states seeking enactment of a policy at the national level that should protect the rights of livelihood of farmers in principle.

The need for infrastructure for panchayats and urban bodies was discussed so as to help their representatives function on day-to-day basis in a proper way.

The eastern states further laid thrust on creation of infrastructure and civil amenities in smaller towns like solid waste management, roads/drainage, potable water, low cost transportation and information technology, he added.

Prakash said the issue of land acquisition for industrial development was also discussed at the meeting with the states seeking enactment of a policy at the national level that should protect the rights of livelihood of farmers in principle.

The need for infrastructure for panchayats and urban bodies was discussed so as to help their representatives function on day-to-day basis in a proper way.