Hyderabad: The Telangana and AP governments face a perplexing situation after the Centre decided to change the pattern of sharing finances of centrally sponsored schemes.

The Centre has asked state governments to pay the larger share of money for these schemes. The Centre will decide on the quantum of funding depending on the availability of finances with the individual departments.

Given that states will pay more for the schemes, officials wonder why they should approach the Centre for project approvals.

Under big ticket schemes like Rashtriya Uchchatar Shiksha Abhiyan and Rashtriya Madhyamik Shiksha Abhiyan, the state governments have to submit proposals to the Project Approval Board for funding.

“If we have to pay more for the same projects, why should we go to the PAB with folded hands? They should do away with the PAB system. Let us decide where to put the money,” a senior Andhra Pradesh State Council of Higher Education official said.

A Telangana officer had a different take. “They are paying at least half the money so they will not fund everything that the state government wants to take up. Their consent will be required,” a high ranking Telangana education department official said.