Expressing dissatisfaction over the non-utilisation of funds meant for the welfare of backward communities under the social welfare scheme, district in-charge Secretary N. Manjunath Prasad has said that hundreds of crores are pending in the accounts of the district administration and zilla panchayat under different schemes, owing to teh negligent attitude of the officials.
Speaking at a meeting of district-level officers here on Wednesday, he said that instead of sitting in offices, the heads of concerned departments should visit the rural areas of the district to identify the needy people and provide facilities at their door steps, so that funds under these schemes are utilised systematically.
Pending amount
“Last year, the pending amount under different schemes was Rs. 8,000 crore and this year it has increased to Rs. 16,000 crore. If the officers fail to provide these facilities to beneficiaries under these schemes, the amount would again increase,” he added.
The officials should understand the fact that many government departments in the State are facing severe shortage of funds.
Betterment of the poor
“The Social Welfare Department has sufficient funds with which the officials can strive for the betterment of poor backward communities. At present, the Social Welfare Department account has a total of Rs. 37 crore in the district and the Scheduled Tribes Welfare Department has a total of Rs. 10 crore in its account.
“The officers have to utilise the amount by the end of March this year,” he added.
He also instructed the officials to make proper use of the funds for construction of Ambedkar Bhavan, Babu Jagjivanram Bhavan and providing basic infrastructure to hostels of backward communities.
‘Funds for backward communities lying unutilised’
‘Heads of departments should visit rural areas’
