Kozhikode: After being in the news two months ago for not utilising government funds, Thiruvambadi and Thamarassery grama panchayats in Kozhikode district have bounced back by hastily using nearly 60% of Plan funds allotted to them.
Hitherto, Thiruvambady grama panchayat, administered by the Left Democratic Front (LDF), had been the worst performer among the nearly 1,000 grama panchayats in the State. It had utilised only 4.37% of ₹1 crore that was at its disposal till mid-February, while the neighbouring Thamarassery grama panchayat under the United Democratic Front (UDF) had used only 9.02%.
The reasons for poor utilisation of funds include delay in preparing and submitting project reports, face-off between officials and local body members, staff shortage, and bureaucratic hassles. Meanwhile, the State government has decided to extend the last date of execution of projects to April 30. This is at a time when spending by most local bodies is just one-fourth of the allotted funds.
Thiruvambady grama panchayat president P.T. Augustine said the support of members and implementing officers had helped in executing the projects. Public works and streetlight projects were delayed owing to restrictions in December and January due to a by-election.
“The grama panchayat had no permanent assistant engineer and secretary to approve its projects. Now, the posts have been filled. As many as 75 out of the 130 public works have been completed. None of the planned projects will lapse,” he hoped.
In the case of Thamarassery grama panchayat, the hill region has made a remarkable comeback. “Our target is to achieve 80%, which is the usual norm. Now, we have spent 50 to 55% of the allocation. The functioning of the panchayat fell into disarray after issues with the secretary. The Deputy Director of Panchayats visited Thamarassery and ordered an inquiry even as the governing council took up the issue,” said K. Saraswathy, panchayat president.
She added that teamwork by the ruling UDF and the Opposition LDF had helped the local body implement projects. “Non-availability of tar has delayed renovation of roads. Besides, several contractors did not get payment for works done,” Ms. Saraswathy said.
The average Plan fund utilisation of three-tier local bodies in the district was a meagre 20.69% in January-February.
