BANGALORE, June 14: Union Panchayati Raj and Rural Development Minister Jairam Ramesh today sent a stern warning to states that if they fail to utilise the funds released under various schemes there will be no further release of funds from various centrally sponsored schemes implemented by his ministry.
“Release of funds will be stopped if any state fails to utilise the funds released under Mahatma Gandhi Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme and Indira Awas Yojana,” he told reporters here, adding ‘there is no politics in this.’
Mr Ramesh was highly critical of the previous BJP government in the state and said utilisation of funds was very poor in the past three years. “Despite writing several letters about the poor performance and non-utilisation, the state government failed to wake up,” he said.
The Minister, who earlier held a review meeting with Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and State Minister for Panchayat Raj and Rural Development, said based on the assurance by the new Chief Minister he has announced release of funds under MGNREGA, Indira Awas Yojana and Prime Minister Rural development Yojana.
He said in 2011-12, the state had utilised Rs 1640 crore and this came down to Rs 1444 crore in 2012-13.
Mr Ramesh said for current fiscal year Rs 2,133 crore would be sanctioned and as first instalment Rs 774.3 crore will be released immediately. There is un-spent money to the extent of Rs 345 crore with the state and this makes available of Rs 1100 crore. Based on the utilisation the second installment will be released in December.
He said during discussion the Chief Minister has agreed to depute a team to Andhra Pradesh which has very well utilised the funds released and has successfully implemented the schemes for the benefit of poor and downtrodden.
(UNI)
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