MLA expresses surprise over unused funds
Member Legislative Assembly Mendhar, Javed Rana has expressed his deep surprise over non utilisation of funds in Rural development department.
The MLA while chairing a review meet of the RDD Mendhar, got to know of a hefty amount present in the form of funds with Rural development department and Panchayati Raj schemes with the department.
The issue came to fore when a meeting to review the functioning and working of Rural development department and Panchayti Raj was held in Mendhar.
Meeting was chaired by Member Legislative Assembly Mendhar, Javed Rana in which Assistant Commissioner Development Poonch, District Panchayti Officer Poonch and other concerned officers including Block Development Officers of block falling in Mendhar were present.
In this meeting, legislator came across a surprising fact which exposes callous approach of department officers towards ground work.
During review, it was found that funds to the tune of crore of rupees under different heads are lying unspent with departments due to poor implementation of schemes on ground.
Funds lying unspent were under different heads which include Swach Bharat Mission, Total Rural Sanitation Scheme.
” I am surprised what you people were doing in past months and you will have to reply where money is as it stand released from treasury of government and hasn’t been utilised on ground ” legislator told officers.
Taking strong note of this, legislator directed all the officers concerned to ensure implementation of schemes on ground level so that funds issues are utilised.
“Government is sanctioning funds worth cross but what’s the fun of it when there is so poor implementation,” lawmaker asked officers.
“There is poor utilization of funds under different heads with dis-utilization even upto 90% in some schemes and this is intolerable as Government is releasing crores and crores of rupees but we are unable to put the same to use,” Rana said in meeting.
Legislator asked all the officers present to streamline the system within shortest possible time and to bring visible change on ground which helps poor population.
Lawmaker further asked ACD Poonch to closely monitor functioning of RDD in Mendhar which otherwise is poor in Mendhar.
Rana also alleged that ruling parties, especially the concerned Minister, has framed his own set of rules for MGNREGA and ill-planned works are being execute on grounds after Ministry’s permission.
“MGNREGA is basically a scheme aimed to give hundred days employment to unemployed ones but on ground, situation in contrary and favoritism is on peak ” he claimed.
Rana has also taken serious note of release of MGNREGA and other panchayat schemes funds to schemes as per wishes of officers and said to go tough as per law against those RDD officers who released payments as per their will and not as per liabilities existing.
KV Correspondent
