Raghuvansh writes to Azad on delay in release of central funds

Srinagar, July 9 (UNI) Union Rural Development Minister Raghuvansh Prasad Singh has dashed off a letter to Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad, expressing serious concern over the delay in release of first installment of central assistance to various districts of the state, a PIB release here said today.

It said the funds under various schemes of rural development could not be released due to delay in submission of proposals and other procedural formalities by the districts concerned.

In a letter (dated June 20) to Mr Azad, Dr Singh sought the Chief Minister's intervention in initiating appropriate action for ensuring compliance of the necessary formalities by the districts concerned so that funds were released without any further delay.

Dr Singh said the union government's share in all centrally sponsored schemes such as Swarnjayanti Gram Swarozgar Yojana (SGSY), Indira Aawas Yojana (IAY) and Sampoorna Grameen Rozgar Yojana (SGRY) was released in two installments.

While the release of first installment was automatic, the second was based on a proposal submitted by the district administration concerned with relevant documents.

In the case of Jammu and Kashmir, the Rural Development Ministry was awaiting clarification from Anantnag, Baramulla, Jammu, Kargil, Leh, Poonch and Pulwama districts, the letter said.

Due to this, the first installment for the current financial year under IAY has not been released. Similarly, under SGSY no proposal had been received from Kargil, Ladakh and Pulwama districts.

The district administration of Anantnag, Kargil, Leh, Pulwama, Poonch, Rajouri and Udhampur had not submitted any proposal under the SGRY, it added.

In the letter, the Union Minister said the officials concerned were not acting in a responsible manner.

Urging Mr Azad to take appropriate action, Dr Singh cautioned that delay in release of first installment would hinder the payment of second, consequently resulting in poor performance.

UNI